Hoffman Y, Palgi Y, Goodwin R, et al. - In the current study, researchers examined the association between COVID-19 vaccination side-effects and depressive symptoms in older adults.

• iPanel (a company that uses a probability-based panel) conducted a survey to obtain a good representation of vaccinated Israeli older adults (N = 939, mean age = 68.9±3.43).

• Although severe or very severe side-effects were rare (less than 1-2%), there appeared an association between each additional side-effect and increased symptoms of clinical depression.

• The likelihood of showing clinical symptom levels appeared to be more than seven times higher among those with 3+ side-effects.

• The vaccination side-effects might aid in identifying depressive symptoms.

• Implementation of psycho-educational interventions emphasizing vaccine efficacy and safety might aid in lowering depressive side effects in older adults.