People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 appear to have a much lower likelihood of developing Long COVID than in the unvaccinated group.
This research published by Antonelli and others in The Lancet Infectious Diseases 1st September is amongst the earliest evidence that immunisation substantially reduces the risk of Long COVID even when a breakthrough infection occurs.
Almost all symptoms were reported less frequently in infected vaccinated individuals than in infected unvaccinated individuals and vaccinated participants were more likely to be completely asymptomatic, especially if they were 60 years or older.
The study found the odds of having symptoms for 28 days or more after post vaccination infection were approximately halved by having two vaccine doses.
This result suggested that the risk of Long COVID is reduced in individuals who have received double vaccination when additionally considering the already documented reduced risk of infection overall.
Dr Paul Ettlinger
Founder, The London General Practice