To investigate COVID-19 disparities between Hispanic/Latino persons (H/L) and non-H/L persons in an agricultural community by examining behavioral and demographic differences.

In September 2020, we conducted Community Assessments for Public Health Emergency Response in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee, Washington, to evaluate differences between H/L and non-H/L populations in COVID-19 risk beliefs, prevention practices, household needs, and vaccine acceptability. We produced weighted sample frequencies.

More households from predominately H/L census blocks (H/L-CBHs) versus households from predominately non-H/L census blocks (non-H/L-CBHs) worked in essential services (79% versus 57%), could not telework (70% versus 46%), and reported more COVID-19 cases (19% versus 4%). More H/L-CBHs versus non-H/L-CBHs practiced prevention strategies: avoiding gatherings (81% versus 61%), avoiding visiting friends/family (73% versus 36%), and less restaurant dining (indoor 24% versus 39%). More H/L-CBHs versus non-H/L-CBHs needed housing (16% versus 4%) and food assistance (19% versus 6%). COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in H/L-CBHs and non-H/L-CBHs was 42% versus 46%, respectively.

Despite practicing prevention measures with greater frequency, H/L-CBHs had more COVID-19 cases. H/L-CBHs worked in conditions with a higher likelihood of exposure. H/L-CBHs had increased housing and food assistance needs due to the pandemic. COVID-19 vaccine acceptability was similarly low (<50%) between groups.

To define measles immunity rates among employees at 2 hospitals during a community outbreak in 1990.

Cohort survey using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and questionnaire.

Two community hospitals.

Seventy-six percent of 2,060 employees.

Seven percent (115/1566) of participants lacked ELISA-defined measles immunity. Among employees whose ages were known, 14% (64/467) of those born after 1956 and 5% (50/1086) of those born before 1957 lacked serologic evidence of immunity. Fifty-eight percent of the susceptible persons had substantial patient contact. With ELISA results as the reference for immunity, the predictive value of an undocumented positive history of measles disease or vaccination was 95%; the predictive value of a negative history of both was 52%. Measles developed in 7 employees.

A substantial number of hospital employees lacked ELBA-defined measles immunity, including many who had patient contact or who had been born before 1957. Undocumented disease and vaccination histories were not adequate predictors of serologic status. This study supports the recommendations and suggestions of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee that hospitals should require documented evidence of measles immunity from employees who have patient contact.