COVID-19 testing and vaccination uptake among youth and young adults: Disparities by age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacts youth and young adults (YYA) and YYA with multiple marginalized identities, yet little is known about differences in uptake, testing access, and vaccine concerns among YYA by diverse demographic identities. Between 2/2021 and 2/2022, we conducted a national, cross-sectional online survey focused on diverse YYA ages 14 to 24 (n = 983). We explored the prevalence of COVID-19 testing and vaccination among YYA by age, race/ethnicity, and sexual and gender identities. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were developed to estimate associations between individual variables and COVID-19 testing and vaccination. The overall COVID-19 testing and vaccination rates in our sample were high (75.99% and 69.07%, respectively). No differences in testing by demographics were found. Compared to individuals aged 14 to 17 years, those aged 18 to 21 years and 22 to 24 years were over 2 times and 4 times as likely to report receiving a vaccine, respectively. All race/ethnicity groups except for Asian individuals were more likely to report being vaccinated compared to their white peers. Our findings showed critical disparities in COVID-19 vaccination among YYA with marginalized identities and emphasized the urgency for data collection and research on pandemic prevention for vulnerable YYA populations. •The overall COVID-19 testing rate was high (76%) among youth and young adults (YYA).•The majority of YYAs had received at least 1 shot of the COVID-19 vaccine (69%).•Older YYAs were more likely to report being tested or received a COVID-19 vaccine.•Found no differences in testing rates by race/ethnicity, sexual and gender identity.•Research on COVID-19 prevention among YYAs with marginalized identities is needed.