Is there a connection between getting the COVID vaccine and thoughts of suicide?

The pandemic has been hard on everyone. Social isolation, worries about getting sick, and the loss of loved ones has led to increased anxiety and depression. Teenagers have been hit especially hard. Fortunately, at least earlier in the pandemic, these difficulties did not result in more death by suicide in the United States.

Some people have wondered if getting vaccinated increases your risk of feeling suicidal. There is no evidence that this is true. Doctors looked for this kind of side effect in the vaccine clinical trials and did not find it. And they have continued to monitor the safety of the vaccines since they’ve become available to everyone. There’s been no sign that getting vaccinated is connected with any mental health problems.

Catching COVID-19, however, has been linked with feeling anxious, depressed, and suicidal. In a study of 3,078 veterans, for example, 12.0% of those who caught COVID said they felt suicidal, while less than 8% of those who did not get COVID said they felt that way. In general, getting sick tends to make people feel anxious or depressed. But getting sick with COVID might be worse than other medical conditions, including having the flu or breaking a bone.

So keep yourself and your family safe. Get vaccinated to lower your risk of getting or spreading COVID.

Last update: December 17, 2021, 1:03 pm ET

Science review: GSN, ERS