Fully vaccinated people ‘less likely to get long Covid’, a new study has found
15.02.2022 - 22:45
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
People who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are less likely to suffer from long Covid, a new study has found.
According to a review by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), two doses of a vaccine provide a high level of protection against long Covid, also known as post-Covid syndrome.
An estimated 2 per cent of Brits have reported symptoms of long Covid - the most common of which are fatigue, shortness of breath and muscle or joint pain.
Researchers studying the condition have now found that vaccinated people are less likely to develop the symptoms after getting infected with Covid than those who are unvaccinated.
They also found that those over the age of 60 have higher levels of protection against lasting long Covid symptoms compared to younger adults.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest that around 1.33 million people, around one in 48, are likely to be experiencing symptoms of long Covid, including more than half a million who first had Covid-19, or suspected they had the virus, at least one year ago.
Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the 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.”
Experts conducted a rapid review of evidence on studies which examined the effects of vaccination