LAUSR

Purpose To inform expectations around the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign, we analyzed associations of COVID-19 priority grouping, socio-demographics, and behavioral factors with receiving flu vaccine. Methods Using the 2018 National Health Interview Survey, we classified 24,772 adults into four COVID-19 vaccination priority groups: healthcare workers, medically vulnerable, non-healthcare essential workers, and the general population. We performed multiple logistic regression to compare the relative odds of receiving flu vaccine by priority group, socio-demographics, and health-related factors. Results Healthcare workers, medically vulnerable adults, essential workers, and the general population comprise 8.9%, 58.4%, 6.6%, and 26.1 % of the US population, respectively. Compared with healthcare workers, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of receiving flu vaccine were significantly lower in medically vulnerable adults (aOR=0.43, 95% CI=0.37, 0.48), essential workers (aOR=0.28, 95% CI=0.23, 0.34), and the general population (aOR=0.32, 95% CI=0.28, 0.37). Being young, male, Black, and having no health insurance were associated with lower relative odds of receiving the flu vaccine. Conclusions Patterns of seasonal flu vaccine portend slower coverage of the COVID-19 vaccine across the US as eligibility expands to the general population.