COVID-19 Vaccination Among Persons With Complicated Mild to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A TBI Model Systems Study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate demographic differences in COVID-19 vaccination uptake and to assess whether vaccination status is associated with societal participation, mental health, and quality of life among individuals with complicated mild to severe traumatic brain injury.

DESIGN

This is a secondary analysis of a prospective, longitudinal cohort study using the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) National Database from 1961 individuals aged 16-years-old and older who completed interviews between October 1, 2021, and January 15, 2023, and responded to questions regarding COVID-19 vaccination status. Demographic, injury severity, societal participation, mental health, and quality of life metrics were compared between those with and without COVID-19 vaccination.

RESULTS

Vaccinated individuals (68%) were more likely to be older, female, nonsmokers, White, and of Asian American or Hispanic ethnicity. Traumatic brain injury severity did not significantly differ between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. In multivariate analysis, vaccination status was not independently associated with social participation (Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools-Objective), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder 7), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9), or quality of life (Satisfaction with Life Scale).

CONCLUSIONS

Demographic disparities in vaccination uptake exist among individuals with traumatic brain injury, but vaccination status was not independently linked to mental health, participation, or quality of life outcomes. These findings underscore the need for targeted outreach to address vaccination gaps and promote health equity in this vulnerable population.