Utilizing Nationally Representative Pharmacy and Respiratory Pathogen Testing Data to Track SARS-Cov-2 and Influenza Cases, % Positivity, Vaccine Uptake, and Trends over Time

OBJECTIVES: To utilize nationally representative U.S. retail pharmacy data from over 9000 stores to monitor SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza cases, % positivity, vaccine exposure, and trends over time.

METHODS: Data included SARS-CoV-2 and influenza tests, test type, and vaccines administered. Weekly testing volume, type of test administered (Multiplex, PCR, ID Now), and weekly % positive were described by Epi week for 2023. Vaccines administered by Epi week were described for 2021 through 2023. Influenza vaccines administration by Epi week were described for calendar year 2023.

RESULTS: Weekly testing peaked in week 1 of 2023 with approximately 40,000 ID Now tests and 19,000 PCR tests (N=59,000). No multiplex tests were administered during this time. Testing volume decreased for ID Now and PCR tests from week 1 through week 20 (total volume below 3,000 per week). An uptick in ID Now Rapid Test occurred from weeks 30 through 36; however, testing volume shifted to multiplex in week 37 and with peak volume in week 50 at 39,000. PCR and ID Now fell below 2000 tests per week after week 37. Percent positivity varied by test type. Peak positivity for PCR (50%) and Multiplex (30%) occurred during week 49. ID Now was observed at 35% during week 49. COVID-19 vaccination distributions were higher in 2021 (50,949,000) compared to 2022 (20,164,000) and 2023 (9,278,000). A marked increase was observed in 2023 with the availability of the XBB variant vaccine reaching nearly 1 million doses distributed for weeks 38 through 40. The weekly volume rapidly decreased to 100,000 per week by week 52. Weekly dispensing for the XBB formulation trailed the weekly dispensing on influenza vaccine from week 41 through week 52.

CONCLUSIONS: Data from a large retail pharmacy demonstrates ability to track SARS-CoV-2 and influenza test results, test type, percent positivity, vaccine uptake, and trends from 2021 through 2023.