CoronaVac Improves Outcomes of COVID-19 for Patients With Schizophrenia

New clinical evidence shows improved COVID-19 outcomes for patients with schizophrenia. A recent retrospective cohort study conducted in Brazil has revealed that the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine significantly reduces in-hospital mortality by 52% among COVID-19 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Because patients with schizophrenia face a lifespan 12 to 15 years shorter than the general population and possess a significantly higher susceptibility to COVID-19 infection, the results highlight a way to improve outcomes for this patient population. It underscores the urgency of prioritizing vaccination and providing nuanced counseling for patients who often experience profound health inequalities and delayed access to preventative care.¹

The effectiveness of this inactivated virus vaccine provides a necessary tool for managing high-risk cohorts.¹ Although the general efficacy for the CoronaVac vaccine is recorded at 51% against symptomatic infection, it reaches 100% effectiveness against severe disease and hospitalization starting 14 days after the second dose.² However, in a study published in The Lancet, 9 cases who received the CoronaVac vaccine had PCR-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 compared with 32 cases in the placebo group, equating to 83.5% efficacy. There were 6559 patients in the vaccine group and 3470 in the placebo group. Adverse events were present in 18.9% of the vaccinated group compared with 16.9% in the placebo group, with no deaths or grade 4 events. The most common events were fatigue and injection-site pain.³

Pharmacists should be aware that the primary series involves 2 0.5 ml doses administered intramuscularly, ideally separated by an interval of 2 to 4 weeks. Furthermore, the World Health Organization recommends a booster dose 4 to 6 months after the primary series to combat waning effectiveness, a measure that may be particularly important for those with impaired immune systems or those residing in high-risk environments.²

The Brazilian study also identified specific risk factors that pharmacists must consider when managing schizophrenia patients. Each year of age increases the mortality risk for these individuals, and comorbid conditions such as neurological disease and immunocompromised status independently elevate the danger of a fatal outcome. Because schizophrenia and COVID-19 share traits of immune disruption and energy metabolism dysregulation, the protective effect of the vaccine is a cornerstone of clinical management. Pharmacists are also uniquely positioned to monitor for potential changes in the metabolism of antipsychotic medications following vaccination, as the immune response can occasionally influence certain cytochrome P450 enzymes.¹

Ultimately, the role of the pharmacist extends beyond the dispensary to advocacy for marginalized groups. Investigators emphasize that the government and health care providers should prioritize patients with schizophrenia to mitigate health disparities and encourage timely vaccination. By understanding the unique immunogenic profile of the CoronaVac vaccine—which elicits higher T-cell responses despite lower antibody levels compared to mRNA platforms—pharmacists can provide evidence-based encouragement to patients who might otherwise remain unvaccinated. In the ongoing effort to close the mortality gap for those with severe mental illness, the pharmacist remains a front-line defender, ensuring that the most vulnerable receive both the protection of the vaccine and the clarity of expert clinical guidance.¹

READ MORE: COVID-19 Resource Center

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REFERENCES

1. Gao Y, Leung C. Effectiveness of Sinovac vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 (CoronaVac) in reducing in-hospital mortality in individuals with COVID-19 and schizophrenia: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Public Health. Published online December 17, 2025. doi:10.1186/s12889-025-25979-w

2. World Health Organization. The Sinovac-CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine: What you need to know. June 10, 2022. Accessed December 19, 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-sinovac-covid-19-vaccine-what-you-need-to-know

3. Tanriover MD, Doğanay HL, Akova M, et al. Efficacy and safety of an inactivated whole-virion SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac): interim results of a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial in Turkey. Lancet. 2021;398(10296):213-222. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01429-X