Vaccinated people less likely to get long Covid than unvaccinated, new study shows

Review finds those who have received two doses of Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca or Moderna vaccine, or one dose of single-shot J&J vaccine, half as likely to develop long Covid symptoms

Vaccinated people are less likely to get long Covid than the non-vaccinated, the UK Health Security Agency has found (Getty)

Vaccinated people are less likely to be affected by long Covid than those who are unvaccinated, according to a new study.

People who have received two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca or Moderna vaccine, or one dose of the single-shot J&J vaccine, are about half as likely to develop symptoms of long Covid compared to the unvaccinated, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

The findings come from a review of 15 studies released on Tuesday.

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.”

The UKHSA said an estimated per cent of the UK population had reported symptoms of long Covid, with the most common symptoms being fatigue, shortness of breath and muscle or joint pain.

Of four studies that compared long Covid symptoms before and after vaccination, three suggested more people reported an improvement in long Covid symptoms rather than a worsening following vaccination.

Three more studies found long Covid symptoms improved in those who got vaccinated, compared to those who remained unvaccinated.

Recent estimates by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggested the number of people suspected to be living with long Covid for more than a year had increased to 550,000.

As of 2 January, about 1.3 million people in the UK (two per cent of the population, or one in 50) were suffering from persistent symptoms after becoming infected with the coronavirus.

Long Covid was found to be most prevalent in people aged 35 to 69 years, women, people living in more deprived areas, those working in healthcare, social care, or teaching and education, and those with another activity-limiting health condition or disability, the ONS said.

Additional reporting by Reuters