Mental Health and COVID-19 Vaccination: New Study Reveals a Connection

COVID-19 vaccination rates are generally high, regardless of mental health status. However, individuals with untreated mental illness in Sweden have lower vaccination coverage.

The researchers analysed data from seven studies in five countries (Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Estonia, and Scotland) as part of the COVIDMENT consortium, totalling just over 325,000 individuals, and registry data from Sweden including over 8 million individuals.

‘Even people facing #mentalhealth challenges are getting vaccinated against COVID-19. It's a powerful reminder of the campaign's reach and the importance of health for everyone. #COVID19 #vaccination’

The pooled analysis from the COVIDMENT cohort showed that 85 percent of individuals were vaccinated with the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (until September 30, 2021). There was no statistically significant difference in vaccination levels in people with or without a mental illness diagnosis, or with or without anxiety or depressive symptoms.

Mental Health Medication and COVID-19 Vaccination Rates

However, Swedish registry data revealed that individuals diagnosed with a mental illness who did not have any dispensed prescription of medication for their mental illness were 9 percent less likely to receive the first dose of the vaccine. Moreover, individuals with substance use disorder were 16 percent less likely to be vaccinated.

"More research is needed to explore the reasons behind these associations in order to improve current and future vaccination strategies and ultimately ensure equitable protection against infectious diseases," says Mary Barker. "As individuals with mental illness are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, high vaccination coverage is especially important in this group."

The research was financed by NordForsk, EU's Horizon 2020 program, the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning, the Estonian Research Council, and the Research Council of Norway. Some of the authors have listed potential conflicts of interest, including honoraria from and shareholdings in pharmaceutical companies. See the scientific article for more information.

Source: Eurekalert