Vaccines stand strong against long covid

A recent study led by University of Oxford researchers sheds light on the noteworthy decline in long-Covid cases among the vaccinated compared to the unvaccinated, offering valuable insights for informed decision-making in the realm of long-term conditions and healthcare management

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on National Health Executive

Experts from Oxford University examined electronic health records from primary care, covering over 20 million individuals across the UK and Europe. The study underscores the crucial role of vaccination in protecting individuals from the long-term effects of Covid-19.

Long covid

Individuals were categorised with long Covid if they exhibited at least one of the 25 symptoms outlined by the World Health Organisation. Furthermore, the symptom had to persist between 90-365 days after a positive PCR test or Covid diagnosis, with no history of that symptom 180 days before contracting Covid.

Professor Dani Prieto-Alhambra, an expert in pharmaco- and device epidemiology at NDORMS, expressed the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing severe Covid-19. However, he highlighted that about one in 10 individuals grapple with persistent symptoms, commonly known as long Covid. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of Covid vaccines on these lingering symptoms.

The research effectively demonstrated how vaccines played a crucial role in preventing the development of persistent Covid symptoms. Additionally, the study delved into a comparison of different vaccinations, revealing that the BNT162b2 vaccine (BioNTech/Pfizer) outperformed the ChAdOx1 vaccine (Oxford/AstraZeneca) in providing protection against long Covid.

Practical implications

This study not only reinforces the importance of vaccination in curbing the spread of severe Covid-19 but also highlights its pivotal role in mitigating the long-term consequences associated with the virus. As we navigate the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, understanding the effectiveness of specific vaccines against long Covid becomes paramount.

In battling the enduring effects of Covid-19, vaccines emerge as steadfast guardians. The findings from the University of Oxford’s extensive study not only contribute to the global discourse on pandemic management but also underscore the tangible impact of vaccination in safeguarding individuals from the prolonged repercussions of the virus.