Walgreens survey finds COVID vaccination has positive impact on mental health

As more Americans get vaccinated against COVID-19, a Walgreens survey is gauging the impact that getting vaccinated has on patients. According to 73% of vaccinated respondents, getting vaccinated has had a positive impact on their mental health, and 67% said they felt vaccination would benefit their physical health as well. 

Among the 1,500 partially and fully vaccinated people who completed the online survey, 64% said they felt relieved after getting vaccinated, with thankfulness and optimism rounding out the top three feelings. 

“Our pharmacy staff and store team members have seen first-hand some of the emotion from customers and patients -- having endured the past year of the pandemic, and now, recognizing the vaccine can be the catalyst to getting back to the people, and the things they truly value and have missed the most,” said Rina Shah, Walgreens group vice president of pharmacy operations and services. “As more people look to resume their pre-pandemic lifestyle, the coronavirus vaccines have been and can continue to be the key for doing so as quickly and safely as possible.”

People also are ready to see their family and friends again. Sixty percent of those surveyed said that visiting family and friends was what they were most eager to do, followed by dining out and traveling. Respondents also largely were eager to receive a vaccine, with nearly 70% saying they were looking to get the vaccine as soon as it became available to them. 

The survey also revealed a vaccine-led shift in sentiment toward going to the gym. Seventy percent said that going to the gym was the activity that made them most uncomfortable, while 75% said they’re now comfortable with doing so after having been vaccinated.