Vaccinated are less likely to develop long Covid

A new review by the UK Health Security Agency shows that people who have had one or more doses of a coronavirus vaccine are less likely to develop long Covid than those who remain unvaccinated.

The review includes 15 UK and international studies that were undertaken up until January 2022. An estimated two per cent of the UK population have reported symptoms of long Covid or post-Covid syndrome, which can last for more than four weeks after their initial infection. The three most common symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath and muscle or joint pain.

Most of the studies suggest that vaccinated people (one or two doses) were less likely to develop symptoms of long Covid following infection compared with unvaccinated people – in the short term and long term (four weeks up until six months after infection).

Four studies specifically compared long Covid symptoms before and after vaccination. Three of these studies suggested that more people with Covid-19 reported an improvement than a worsening in symptoms after vaccination, either immediately or over several weeks.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said: “These studies add to the potential benefits of receiving a full course of the Covid-19 vaccination. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from serious symptoms when you get infected and may also help to reduce the longer-term impact.

“For most people symptoms of long Covid are short-lived and resolve overtime. But for some, symptoms can be more severe and disrupting to their daily lives. If you’re experiencing unusual symptoms particularly for longer than four weeks after infection, you should consider contacting your GP.”