COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Related Disorders: Feasibility and Acceptability

Introduction: Autistic individuals often have comorbid medical conditions, which can increase the likelihood of being severely affected by COVID-19. The best prevention for this is vaccination. However, some autistic individuals engage in behaviors that might create a barrier to successful vaccination. Aims: We describe the development and acceptability of a clinic specializing in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who exhibit challenging behavior. Method: The clinic utilized behavioral antecedent strategies and contingencies to increase compliance with the vaccine and decrease distress associated with the procedure. Results: We achieved a 100% success rate with vaccine administration and caregivers reported high satisfaction with the clinic. Conclusions: The present vaccine clinic is adaptable to various settings and patients and was well-received overall by caregivers. Replication in different geographic regions may be beneficial when resources allow for this type of clinic.