A RECENT study conducted across Kaiser Permanente’s Georgia, Washington, and Southern California healthcare systems has revealed significant differences in vaccine uptake between individuals with diagnosed psychiatric disorders and those without such diagnoses. The study aimed to compare the rates of influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations among these populations and to explore how vaccine uptake varies by sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.
The study included individuals with at least one diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder within a 12-month period and a control group without psychiatric diagnoses, matched by age and sex. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the likelihood of receiving influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, accounting for various covariates.
The results showed that individuals with psychiatric disorders were 18% more likely to receive an influenza vaccine compared to those without such conditions. However, the odds of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine were slightly lower among individuals with psychiatric conditions, with a 3% decrease compared to those without.
These findings suggest that while individuals with mental health conditions are more likely to be vaccinated against influenza, they are less likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve vaccine uptake among people with psychiatric disorders, particularly for COVID-19. Notably, the vaccination rates for both groups were below national benchmarks, indicating significant opportunities for enhancing vaccine coverage in both populations.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Owen-Smith A et al. Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Individuals With Versus Without Diagnosed Psychiatric Disorders. Psychiatr Serv. 2024; DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20230638.
