Increased risk of COVID-19 for vaccinated people over 65 with mental illness

People who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus but have history of mental disorder, especially those over 65, face an increased risk of Covid-19 infection, according to a new American scientific study. The explanation for this is both their tendency to be more risky behaviors and inability or unwillingness to observe basic precautions, as well as the possible reduced immune system response them in vaccines.

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, who published their findings in the American medical journal «JAMA Network Open», analyzed data for nearly 264,000 people (90% men) with average age 66 years.

Half (51%) had at least one psychiatric diagnosis in the last five years (for depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety disorder, alcohol abuse, drug use, bipolar disorder, psychosis, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, eating disorder, etc.), while nearly 15% had been diagnosed with Covid-19 after their vaccination.

It was found that vaccinated people with psychiatric disorders generally had a higher risk of Covid-19 infection than those without such problems. For certain conditions in particular, the risk for people over 65 was much higher: Specifically, 24% for those who abused substances, 23% for those with psychosis, 16% for those with bipolar disorder, and 12% for those with anxiety disorder.

For vaccinated individuals with mental disorders under the age of 65, the risk of Covid-19 infection is increased. up to 11% compared to those without such a history.

On the other hand, according to the study, other non-psychiatric conditions are also associated with an increased risk of Covid-19 infection in vaccinated individuals: 23% in the case of chronic kidney disease, 20% in individuals with HIV, 19% in those with cardiovascular disease, 18% in those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and 13% in those with sleep apnea.

This indicates, according to researchers, that vaccinated people with certain mental illnesses, especially those over 65, face an increased risk of Covid-19 at rates comparable to other non-mental illnesses. The risk is greater when mental and non-mental illnesses coexist.