Self-reported vaccine uptake across six infectious diseases among gay, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary individuals in Australia: findings from a 2024 national survey.

BACKGROUND: Gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and trans and gender diverse people (TGD) are disproportionately affected by several vaccine-preventable diseases. However, research on vaccine uptake for both sexually transmitted and non-sexually transmitted infections among GBMSM and TGD remains limited. Understanding differences in uptake between selective (e.g. hepatitis A; meningococcal; human papillomavirus; HPV; mpox) and universal (e.g. influenza, COVID-19) is important for informing future immunisation policy and strategies.

METHODS: We surveyed past vaccine uptake among GBMSM and TGD people living in Australia in July-November 2024. Participants were asked to self-report their vaccination status for the following six vaccines: COVID-19, influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, HPV, meningococcal disease, and mpox. Vaccine uptake was calculated for each vaccine and stratified by age group, HIV status and PrEP use, gender, education, Medicare status, world region of birth, and jurisdiction of residence.

RESULTS: The median age of the 2095 participants was 39 years (IQR: 31-50). The majority of the participants identified as cisgender men (94.7%). Overall, the COVID-19 vaccine had the highest uptake (97.5%), followed by hepatitis A/B (80.6%), influenza (72.8%), mpox (64.0%), HPV (35.9%), and meningococcal disease (30.3%). HIV-negative participants not using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) had lower vaccine uptake compared with HIV-negative PrEP users and people living with HIV. Higher education and having a Medicare card were associated with an overall increased vaccine uptake.

CONCLUSION: Factors that increase vaccine uptake included being PLHIV and using PrEP, increased education, and having a Medicare card. Public health policies should consider targeted outreach, integration of vaccination into routine care and innovative health communication strategies.