On May 14, 2021, this report was posted as an MMWR Early Release on the MMWR website (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr).Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, health care personnel (HCP) have been at high risk for exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, through patient interactions and community exposure (1). The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended prioritization of HCP for COVID-19 vaccination to maintain provision of critical services and reduce spread of infection in health care settings (2). Early distribution of two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) to HCP allowed assessment of the effectiveness of these vaccines in a real-world setting. A test-negative case-control study is underway to evaluate mRNA COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic illness among HCP at 33 U.S. sites across 25 U.S. states. Interim analyses indicated that the VE of a single dose (measured 14 days after the first dose through 6 days after the second dose) was 82% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 74%-87%), adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, and underlying medical conditions. The adjusted VE of 2 doses (measured ≥7 days after the second dose) was 94% (95% CI = 87%-97%). VE of partial (1-dose) and complete (2-dose) vaccination in this population is comparable to that reported from clinical trials and recent observational studies, supporting the effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines against symptomatic disease in adults, with strong 2-dose protection.A test-negative design case-control study of mRNA COVID-19 VE is underway, with HCP being enrolled at 33 sites across 25 U.S. states; the planned interim analysis presented in this report includes data collected during January-March 2021.* A majority (75%) of enrolled HCP worked at acute care hospitals (including emergency departments), 25% worked in outpatient or specialty clinics, and <1% worked in long-term care facilities and urgent care * https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/downloads/hcp-early-phaseprotocol-508.pdf

While hospitalizations among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) have been elevated in the past compared to their uninfected counterparts, the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has resulted in great strides in controlling symptomatic infection. However, research largely overlooks important differences among HIV-infected individuals, primarily PLWH who are symptomatic versus those who are asymptomatic. We conducted a retrospective study assessing the length of hospital stay among 717,237 admissions from three hospitals in the New York City area. Using zero-truncated negative binomial regression we documented trends in length of hospital stay among individuals who are HIV positive (with symptoms versus those without symptoms) compared to HIV-negative patients over nine consecutive years, from 2006 to 2014. Approximately 0.85% of the admissions were infected with asymptomatic HIV (n = 6,131), while 1.43% of admissions were infected with symptomatic HIV (n = 10,271). The length of stay (LOS) among symptomatic HIV-infected admissions was 32.0% (95% CI: 29.7%–34.2%) longer than LOS in the general admissions. The mean LOS dropped about 1.5% (95% CI: 1.5%– 1.6%) per year in the study sample. The LOS in inpatients with asymptomatic HIV had the same LOS as the general inpatient population. Our findings highlight the need for comprehensive strategies to reduce length of hospitalization among HIV-infected individuals.

Incarcerated individuals in the United States are reportedly four times more likely to be infected with HIV than members of the general population, and a substantial proportion have a history of drug use. Postincarceration, many struggle to maintain their antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen. This pilot study tested the potential performance of two ART adherence interventions, Project ADHerence Education and Risk Evaluation (ADHERE) and Medication Adherence and Care Engagement (MACE) among drug-using HIV-infected formerly incarcerated individuals in New York City. Thirty participants were randomized and completed the ADHERE or MACE intervention. Participants were interviewed and had their blood drawn for viral load testing at baseline and 3 months postintervention. Our findings suggest that drug-using HIV-infected formerly incarcerated individuals can benefit from brief ART adherence interventions. They also suggest that marijuana use may not have a negative impact on ART adherence.

Incarcerated individuals, who are overrepresented among those infected with HIV, experience multiple barriers to optimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence after incarceration. Substance use is highly prevalent among legal system-involved individuals and is commonly associated with suboptimal medication adherence. This manuscript describes the development and pilot test results of two interventions designed to improve ART adherence among formerly incarcerated individuals living with HIV (PLWH). Thirty participants were randomized and completed a multi-session ART adherence and risk reduction intervention or a brief ART adherence intervention. Participants were interviewed at baseline, 1-month, and 3-month follow-up. While past 30-day ART adherence improved in both groups, participants in the brief intervention group took a higher proportion of their ART medication. Multi-session intervention group participants experienced greater reductions in substance use and problematic experiences associated with drug use. ART medication adherence interventions can potentially improve treatment outcomes among PLWH who experience incarceration.