SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection Risk in Persons with HIV, Chicago, Illinois, USA, 2020–2022

Abstract

Understanding if persons with HIV (PWH) have a higher risk for SARS-CoV-2 reinfection may help tailor future COVID-19 public health guidance. To determine whether HIV infection was associated with increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 reinfection, we followed adult residents of Chicago, Illinois, USA, with SARS-CoV-2 longitudinally from their first reported infection through May 31, 2022. We matched SARS-CoV-2 laboratory data and COVID-19 vaccine administration data to Chicago’s Enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System. Among 453,587 Chicago residents with SARS-CoV-2, a total of 5% experienced a SARS-CoV-2 reinfection, including 192/2,886 (7%) PWH and 23,642/450,701 (5%) persons without HIV. We observed higher SARS-CoV-2 reinfection incidence rates among PWH (66 [95% CI 57–77] cases/1,000 person-years) than PWOH (50 [95% CI 49–51] cases/1,000 person-years). PWH had a higher adjusted rate of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection (1.46, 95% CI 1.27–1.68) than those without HIV. PWH should follow the recommended COVID-19 vaccine schedule, including booster doses.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• HIV/AIDS
• SARS-CoV-2
• severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
• viruses
• respiratory infections