Cork psychiatrist calls for those with severe mental illness to be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccine 

Those with schizophrenia are more likely to develop cardiac problems, diabetes and obesity – all risk factors associated with poor outcomes from Covid-19.

People with a severe mental illness should be moved up the list for Covid-19 vaccination, according to a Cork psychiatrist.

Dr Eric Kelleher, a consultant liaison psychiatrist at Cork University Hospital and a member of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, is urging the the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) to consider prioritising those with schizophrenia spectrum disorders for vaccination, after a recent study revealed such disorders were associated with an increased risk for mortality from Covid-19.