Diminished capacities to make treatment decision for COVID-19 vaccination in schizophrenia

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that schizophrenia patients are at high risk for severe COVID-19 and should be prioritized for vaccination. However, impaired decision-making capacities could negatively affect the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in this population. Competence to consent to COVID-19 vaccination was assessed in 80 outpatients with schizophrenia. Using the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment, 56.3% of the sample were classified as having diminished mental capacity. Poor performance was associated with lower vaccination rates, poorer cognition and higher level of psychotic symptoms. Developing interventions for enhancing informed consent for vaccination is urgent within this population.