Human vaccines & immunotherapeuticsAug 27, 2025

Links between depression and three important COVID-19 outcomes

Long Covid Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Jun 28, 2026

Abstract

Essence

Preexisting depression was linked to lower COVID-19 vaccination and higher odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection and in middle-aged and older Europeans.

Evidence

This observational SHARE analysis used multivariable logistic models in 31,115 participants for vaccination and about 11,100 participants each for infection and long COVID, with stronger associations at greater depression severity.

Caveat

Because this was a survey-based observational study, it cannot establish causality, and the infection and long-COVID findings still need prospective confirmation.

Simplified

This study investigated the potential associations between preexisting depression and COVID-19 vaccination, SARS-CoV-2 infection risk, and among middle-aged and older Europeans, based on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). A total of 31,115 participants were included to assess the relationship between depression and COVID-19 vaccination 11,146 to evaluate depression-related SARS-CoV-2 infection risk, and 11,142 to study the impact of depression on the occurrence of long COVID. Multivariable logistic model was performed and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Compared to non-depressed individuals, those with depression were 0.72 times less likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (95% CI: 0.67-0.77), had a 1.15 times higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (95% CI: 1.02-1.30), and were 1.21 times more likely to develop long COVID (95% CI: 1.05-1.38), with these associations strengthening as the severity of depression increased. Preexisting depression might be linked to reduced COVID-19 vaccination odds and an elevated risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and long COVID, although further high-quality prospective studies with larger samples are needed to confirm the findings.

Key numbers

0.72

Decrease in Vaccination Odds

Odds ratio comparing vaccinated depressed vs. non-depressed individuals

1.15

Increase in Infection Risk

Odds ratio for infection in depressed individuals

1.21

Increase in Risk

Odds ratio for developing in depressed individuals

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Funding

Competing interests

No competing interests reported.

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Links between depression and three important COVID-19 outcomes

Abstract

Key numbers

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Funding

Competing interests

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Abstract

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Funding

Competing interests

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You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

What Lands in Your Inbox Each Week:

Recent issues from the long covid brief