Patients with mental health disorders have a modest yet still significant elevated risk of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection after COVID-19 vaccination, new data show.

This association appeared stronger for those with adjustment disorder or substance use disorder, as well as over-65s compared to younger age groups, US researchers say.

The team tracked some 264,000 fully vaccinated adults (mean age 66; 91% male) in the US Veterans Health Administration system to determine whether psychiatric disorder diagnoses were linked to a higher incidence of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection.

Just over half the cohort had at least one psychiatric disorder, with major depressive disorder, PTSD and anxiety disorder the most frequently reported, and 15% developed COVID-19 despite vaccination.