Neighborhood-level COVID vaccination and booster disparities: A population-level analysis across California

OBJECTIVES: To describe vaccine and booster uptake by neighborhood-level factors in California. METHODS: We examined trends in COVID-19 vaccination up to September 21, 2021, and boosters up to March 29, 2022 using data from the California Department of Public Health. Quasi-Poisson regression was used to model the association between neighborhood-level factors and fully vaccinated and boosted among ZIP codes. Sub-analyses on booster rates were compared among the 10 census regions. RESULTS: In a minimally adjusted model, a higher proportion of Black residents was associated with lower vaccination (HR = 0.97; 95%CI: 0.96–0.98). However, in a fully adjusted model, proportion of Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Asian residents were associated with higher vaccination rates (HR = 1.02; 95%CI: 1.01–1.03 for all). The strongest predictor of low vaccine coverage was disability (HR = 0.89; 95%CI: 0.86–0.91). Similar trends persisted for booster doses. Factors associated with booster coverage varied by region. CONCLUSIONS: Examining neighborhood-level factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination and booster rates uncovered significant variation within the large and geographically and demographically diverse state of California. Equity-based approaches to vaccination must ensure a robust consideration of multiple social determinants of health.