Effect of coronavirus vaccine on depressive and anxiety symptoms of health-care professionals developed through the pandemic

Abstract

Aim: COVID-19 pandemic response measures adversely affected the psychological effects of health-care professionals due to disruption of daily life, sense of uncertainty, fear of getting sick, and the perception of working in a dangerous environment. In this study, we assessed the level of depression and anxiety symptoms in health-care professionals who had interaction with COVID-19 patients both before and after vaccination. Materials and Methods: The participants in this prospective cohort study, which took place between July 24, 2020 and April 30, 2021, were 233 health-care workers who were employed in the hospital's COVID area. Participants were divided into two groups as pre-COVID-19 vaccine group (Group 1; n = 98) and postvaccine group (Group 2; n = 135), both groups received the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: The mean score of the Group 1 anxiety subscale was 15.64 ± 2.112, and the mean score of the depression subscale was 15.19 ± 1.762. The same scores were 9.65 ± 5.535 and 9.13 ± 4.984, respectively, in Group 2. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.001). Conclusion: In our research, we have seen that the application of the vaccine has positive effects on the psychological state of health workers who are directly exposed to COVID-19 patients. We think that the therapies or preventive measures that are developed during the pandemic phase will lessen the possibility of sadness and anxiety in health-care personnel and boost the effectiveness of the effort to combat the disease.