COVID-19 vaccination for people with severe mental illness: why, what, and how?

Psychiatric disorders, and especially severe mental illness, are associated with an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. People with severe mental illness should therefore be prioritised in vaccine allocation strategies. Here, we discuss the risk for worse COVID-19 outcomes in this vulnerable group, the effect of severe mental illness and psychotropic medications on vaccination response, the attitudes of people with severe mental illness towards vaccination, and, the potential barriers to, and possible solutions for, an efficient vaccination programme in this population.

Automated summary

Vaccination should be prioritized for individuals with severe mental illness in vaccine allocation strategies. This vulnerable group faces a higher risk for worse COVID-19 outcomes, and the presence of severe mental illness and psychotropic medications may affect their vaccination response.