Increasing COVID-19 Vaccination Rates Among Patients With Serious Mental Illness: A Pilot Intervention Study

Abstract

Objective: This pilot project aimed to maximize COVID-19 vaccine uptake among patients with serious mental illness. Psychiatric providers were engaged to directly address COVID-19 vaccine–related concerns with patients during outpatient visits. Methods: A quality improvement project encouraged COVID-19 vaccinations in a cohort of outpatients treated with clozapine (N5193, ages 19–81 years, mean age546.4 years) at a community mental health center. In-service education was provided to clinicians to identify vaccine-hesitant patients and build vaccine confidence. A vaccination-monitoring tool was created and embedded in patients’ electronic medical records. Starting in February 2021, the tool guided semistructured interviews at each visit and supported population-based management. Results: The full COVID-19 vaccination rate by June 30, 2021, was 84% among the outpatients, compared with the estimated state rate on the same date of between 62.1% and 77.3%. Conclusions: The active involvement of psychiatric providers in preventive health care can help increase vaccination rates among patients with serious mental illness.