Abstract
Patients in medium secure hospitals may be at particularly increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and complications. We undertook a service evaluation involving all current in-patients within a single, English medium secure hospital to describe the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine among this population. Data regarding capacity to consent to the vaccine, acceptance/refusal of this (and reasons for refusal) and demographics was retrospectively collected from the patients' clinical records and analysed. In total, 85 patients (92.4% of eligible patients) had capacity to decide if they wanted the COVID-19 vaccine. Of these 68 (80.0%) consented and 17 (20.0%) declined to consent. A similar proportion of patients aged under and over 40 years old consented to have the vaccine. Those from a Black Asian minority ethnic background were more likely to decline the vaccine than White British patients. The reasons for capacitous refusal appeared similar to those seen in the general population.
Highlights
Compared with the general population, people with mental health disorders are at increased risk of negative physical and mental health outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection.[1,2]
Factors that may promote or inhibit uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in the general population are beginning to be elucidated,[5] little is known about the vaccine uptake in people with mental disorders
We are not aware of any studies on COVID-19 vaccination uptake involving mental health patients detained in secure hospital settings
Summary
Compared with the general population, people with mental health disorders are at increased risk of negative physical and mental health outcomes (including increased mortality) following SARS-CoV-2 infection.[1,2] Those in longer-term care institutions may be more exposed to infection via frequent contact with other patients and staff in their care setting.[3]. In the UK (at the time of writing in April 2021), all adult mental health in-patients are being offered the COVID-19 vaccine as they can be considered to be in ‘Category 6’ as defined by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice on priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination.[4]. Factors that may promote or inhibit uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in the general population (such as prosocial beliefs in the collective importance of taking the vaccine; vaccine efficacy; sideeffects; speed of development of COVID-19 vaccines; or mistrust) are beginning to be elucidated,[5] little is known about the vaccine uptake in people with mental disorders. We are not aware of any studies on COVID-19 vaccination uptake involving mental health patients detained in secure hospital settings
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
