Rates of Vaccination against COVID-19 in Psychiatric Outpatients

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Comparing COVID-19 vaccination rates between psychiatric outpatients and the general population is crucial.
• Assessing infection rates and pandemic-related anxiety in patients with various mental disorders is important.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare COVID-19 vaccination and infection rates in psychiatric outpatients versus the general population.
• To analyze anxiety levels and types in patients with psychotic, anxiety, and depressive disorders during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire-based study involving 171 psychiatric outpatients (aged 18-80) with pre-existing mental disorders.
• Data collected on vaccination status, type, COVID-19 infection course, and mental health.
• Informed consent obtained from all participants for the self-reported survey.

Main Results:

• Psychiatric patients demonstrated higher COVID-19 vaccination rates compared to the general population.
• Sinopharm was the most commonly administered vaccine among the study group.
• 46.8% of observed psychiatric patients contracted COVID-19, with only 7% experiencing moderate to severe illness and being unvaccinated.

Conclusions:

• Vaccination rates in psychiatric patients exceeded those in the general population, with notable exceptions in psychotic patients due to fear.
• High rates of somatic comorbidities and potentially insufficient information may influence vaccination decisions in this population.
• Targeted information campaigns could improve vaccine uptake and mitigate severe infections among vulnerable psychiatric patient groups.