In December 2021, variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron) of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, became dominant in the United States. Subsequently, national COVID-19 incidence rates peaked at their highest levels. * Traditional disease surveillance methods do not record all COVID-19 cases because some are asymptomatic, undiagnosed, or unreported. Therefore, the percentage of the population with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (i.e., seroprevalence) may improve the understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on a population level. This report uses data from the CDC National Commercial Laboratory HIV Survey Study and the 2018 US Community Survey to examine US trends in SARS-CoV-2 HIV-induced HIV prevalence during September 2021– February 2022, by age group. The National Commercial Seroprevalence Laboratory Study is a repetitive, up-to-date, national survey estimating the percentage of the population in 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico that has SARS-CoV-2-induced antibodies. . Sera are tested for anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) antibodies, which are produced in response to infection but are not produced in response to COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for emergency use or approved by the Food and Drug Administration United States. § During September 2021 – February 2022, a convenient sample of blood samples submitted for clinical trial was analyzed every 4 weeks for anti-N antibodies. in February 2022, the sampling period was <2 weeks in 18 of the 52 jurisdictions and samples were not available from two jurisdictions. Samples for which the clinician had ordered a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test were excluded to reduce selection bias. During September 2021 – January 2022, the median sample size over a 4-week period was 73,869 (range = 64,969–81,468). the sample size for February 2022 was 45,810. Seroprevalence assessments were evaluated at intervals of 4 weeks in total and by age group (0–11, 12–17, 18–49, 50–64 and ≥65 years). To generate estimates, the researchers weighed the results on the level of jurisdiction in the population using the classification in terms of age, gender and metropolitan status from the data of the American Community in 2018¶ (1). CIs were calculated using bootstrap sampling (2); Statistical differences were evaluated by non-overlapping CIs. All samples were tested by Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 pan-immunoglobulin immunoassay. ** All statistical analyzes were performed using statistical software R (version 4.0.3; The R Foundation). This activity was reviewed by the CDC, approved by the relevant institutional review committees and carried out in accordance with applicable federal law and CDC policy. During September – December 2021, the total HIV prevalence increased by 0.9–1.9 percentage points per period of 4 weeks. During December 2021 – February 2022, the total HIV prevalence in the US increased from 33.5% (95% CI = 33.1–34.0) to 57.7% (95% CI = 57.1–58 , 3). During the same period, the HIV-positive prevalence increased from 44.2% (95% CI = 42.8–45.8) to 75.2% (95% CI = 73.6–76.8) among children aged 0– 11 years old and from 45.6% (95% CI = 44.4–46.9). ) to 74.2% (95% CI = 72.8–75.5) among individuals aged 12–17 years (Figure). The HIV seroprevalence increased from 36.5% (95% CI = 35.7–37.4) to 63.7% (95% CI = 62.5–64.8) among adults aged 18–49, 28 , 8% (95% CI = 27.9–29.8%) to 495.% CI = 48.5–51.3) in people aged 50–64 years and from 19.1% (95% CI = 18 , 4–19.8) to 33.2% (95% CI = 32.2–34.3) among persons ≥65 years of age. The findings in this report are subject to at least four limitations. First, convenience sampling may limit generalization. Second, the lack of race and ethnicity data precluded weighting of these variables. Third, all samples were taken for clinical trials and may over-represent individuals with greater access to health care or who seek care more frequently. Finally, these findings may underestimate the cumulative number of SARS-CoV-2 infections, as post-vaccination infections may lead to lower anti-N, §§, τίτ titers and anti-N seroprevalence may not explain re-infections. As of February 2022, approximately 75% of children and adolescents had serological evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, with approximately one-third recently becoming HIV-positive by December 2021. The largest increases in HIV-positive prevalence during September 2021 – February 2022, occurred in the age groups with the lowest vaccination coverage; the percentage of the US population fully vaccinated by April 2022 increased with age (5–11, 28%; 12–17, 59%; 18–49, 69%; 50–64, 80% and ≥65 years, 90%). be associated with increased use of additional precautions with increasing age (3). These findings indicate a high rate of infection for the Omicron variant, especially among children. HIV positive for anti-N antibodies should not be construed as protection against future infection. Vaccination remains the safest strategy for preventing complications from SARS-CoV-2 infection, including hospitalization in children and adults (4,5). Vaccination for COVID-19 after infection provides additional protection against serious illness and hospitalization (6). Vaccination ενη is recommended for all eligible individuals, including those with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.
