APA Calls on Public Health Officials to Ensure Vaccine Access to People With SMI, SUDs

State public health officials should ensure that people with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorders (SUDs) are prioritized along with individuals with other high-risk medical conditions in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, APA urged today in anews release.People with SMIs and/or SUDs often have comorbid conditions, which can increase the risk of severe complications from COVID-19, stated an APAguidance document titled “The Role of the Psychiatrist in the Equitable Distribution of the COVID-19 Vaccine.” Additionally, these individuals may live in overcrowded conditions, increasing their risk of infection.“Historically these populations have had limited access to preventative care and vaccinations, foreshadowing inequitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines,” continued the guidance document. The document was created by APA’s Committee on Psychiatric Dimensions of Disaster, Committee on Integrat ed Care, Council on Communications, Council on Minority Mental Health and Health Disparities, and Council on Healthcare Systems and Financing.In the news release, APA urged public health authorities to include people with mental illness in the equivalent of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’sPhase 1c, which refers to people with high-risk medical conditions, as well as those who are aged 65 to 74 and essential workers.“It’s all too common that people with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders don’t have access to health c...
Source: Psychiatr News - Category: Psychiatry Tags: access to care APA COVID-19 COVID-19 vaccine Jeffrey Geller Saul Levin serious mental illness SMI state health officials substance use disorders SUDs Source Type: research