Patients with preexisting psychiatric disorders were more likely to experience breakthrough COVID infections after vaccination, a study published in JAMA Network Open found.
The study collected data from 263,697 fully vaccinated Department of Veterans Affairs patients both with and without preexisting mental health conditions.
Data showed that those who had been diagnosed in the last five years with psychiatric disorders including depressive, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, adjustment, alcohol use, substance use, bipolar, psychotic, attention-deficit/hyperactivity, dissociative and eating disorders were more likely to experience breakthrough infections after being fully vaccinated. Breakthroughs were found to be even more common among older patients diagnosed with any of the conditions.
At the end of the study, the scientists suggested that these results prove the need for targeted prevention efforts among those affected.