Fully vaccinated people with substance use disorders (alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, opioids, etc.) have a low but about twice the risk of coronavirus infection and infection compared to the general population. Covid-19, as well as subsequent hospitalization or death due to complications of the disease, according to a new American scientific study, the first of its kind among vaccinated drug users.
Researchers from the US National Institutes of Health and the Case Western Reserve University of Cleveland, Ohio, published their findings in the international journal Psychiatry, analyzing data from nearly 580.000 people, of whom 30.183 were diagnosed with substance use disorders (drugs, etc.). All were fully vaccinated between December 2020 and August 2021 and were not infected with coronavirus prior to vaccination.
It was found that the risk of infection Covid-19 of vaccinated (so-called "breakthrough" infections) was generally 7% for those with substance use disorders (ranging from 7,8% for people with cannabis to 6,8% due to tobacco use), compared with only 3,6%. % among those vaccinated without such disorders.
The greatest risk for breakthrough infection is for cannabis and cocaine users. The researchers noted that many drug users have impaired immune function due to their drugs and other ailments. The increased risk of infection of a vaccinated user is largely explained, according to the researchers, by the coexistence of chronic diseases and adverse socioeconomic conditions, things common to substance users.
The exception seems to be those vaccinated with cannabis use disorder, who are estimated to have a 55% higher chance of infection Covid-19, although usually younger and without underlying diseases. One possible explanation is that cannabis has a negative effect on lung function, thus increasing the chance of coronavirus disease despite vaccination.
Breakthrough infections in vaccinated drug users have also been found to significantly increase the risk of serious infection complications. Covid-19. Among those with substance use disorders, 22,5% of those infected with coronavirus after complete vaccination needed hospitalization and 1,7% died, compared with only 1,6% and 0,5% among non-infectious substance users, respectively. breakthrough.
"Our findings show that those vaccinated with substance use disorders generally have a lower risk of infection. Covid-19, which shows the effectiveness and the need for full vaccination of this group of the population. However, this population group remains vulnerable even after vaccination, so it is important that vaccinated patients with such disorders continue to take precautions against a possible infection, "said the researchers.
"The first and foremost is that vaccination is highly effective for people with substance use disorders, and that the overall risk Covid-19 among those vaccinated with such disorders is very low. We must continue to encourage and facilitate vaccination for Covid-19 "At the same time, we recognize that, even after vaccination, this group is at increased risk and should continue to take preventive measures against coronavirus," said Dr. Nora Volkov, director of the Institute for Drugs. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Department of National Institutes of Health (NIH).