COVID-19 Vaccination in a First Episode Psychosis Clinic
Jacqueline F. Dow, MPH (1), Dost Öngür, MD, PhD (1,2), Emily E. Carol, PhD (1,2)
1. Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA
2. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Abstract
Background: The CDC has identified that people with schizophrenia spectrum and mood disorders may be more likely to become ill from COVID-19; therefore, vaccination is important in this population. However, studies have indicated higher rates of vaccine declination among those with psychotic disorders. Therefore, the aim of this secondary data analysis was to examine COVID-19 vaccination, hesitancy, motivation, and related items in a coordinated specialty care (CSC) first episode psychosis (FEP) clinic.
Methods: FEP patients in an outpatient CSC clinic (N=64) reported demographics, COVID-19 vaccination status, hesitancy, and vaccine motivation. Clients were aged 18 to 37 (M=24.27, SD=4.03) and had a clinician-reported primary psychotic disorder diagnosis (51.56% bipolar disorder, 10.94% schizophrenia, 15.63% schizoaffective disorder, 3.13% other non-affective psychoses, 6.25% major depressive disorder, 1.56% substance-induced psychosis). Descriptive statistics examined all self-reported COVID-19 measures except vaccination status motivation. Separate qualitative thematic analyses examine vaccine status motivation.
Results: Nearly all individuals with self-reported COVID-19 vaccination status available (n=62) indicated that they had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (95.16% total: 1.69% one dose only, 50.85% fully vaccinated, 47.46% vaccinated with dose unknown). Of vaccinated clients with a completed booster item (n=30), 86.67% had received at least one booster. Only three individuals were entirely unvaccinated against COVID-19. Unvaccinated clients indicated greater vaccine hesitancy (M=58.33, SD=14.43) than the vaccinated clients (M=11.67, SD=23.57). Few patients indicated that a friend or loved one was hospitalized (7.94%), treated in the ICU (3.17%), or passed away (1.59%) from COVID-19.
Conclusion: This sample of FEP patients had very high rates of COVID-19 vaccination and on average, low vaccine hesitancy. Further research should examine these variables across a larger FEP sample as well as the effects of engagement in CSC on vaccination and other aspects of physical health in those with FEP.