Depression and vaccination behavior in patients with chronic physical illness - A cross-sectional survey

Chronically ill are vulnerable to vaccine preventable infections. Consequently, their vaccination behavior is highly relevant. Depressive comorbidities are frequent in these patients. Furthermore, these patients are mainly diagnosed, treated and vaccinated in primary care. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the associations between depression and vaccination behavior (COVID-19 and influenza) in adult chronically ill primary care patients.

In a cross-sectional survey, we examined depression (PHQ9), psychological antecedents of vaccinations (Confidence and Constraints), health care utilization, and vaccination status. Based on an effect model, descriptive statistics and mixed linear/logistic models were calculated. (German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00030042).

n = 795 patients were analyzed. Both psychological antecedents of vaccinations (Confidence and Constraints) mediated a negative association between depression and vaccination behavior, healthcare utilization mediated a positive association. The total effect of depression was negligible.

As the effects of vaccination readiness and healthcare utilization are opposing, different total effects depending on the study population are possible. Further studies are needed to investigate additional predictors of vaccination behavior.

We suggest tackling vaccine acceptance in chronically ill through increasing confidence using communication-based interventions, for which primary care is the suitable setting. Constraints might be reduced by reminder and recall systems.