Vaccine Reduces Risk of Long COVID Development

Vaccination has significantly reduced the risk of developing long COVID or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), with studies attributing about 70% of the risk reduction to vaccinations and the rest to factors like virus changes and improved detection. Research from Washington University School of Medicine involving over 440,000 veterans and 4 million controls shows declining rates of long COVID throughout the pandemic, with the Omicron era exhibiting the most substantial decrease. While the risk of long COVID has diminished, it remains substantial, especially for the unvaccinated, highlighting the importance of ongoing vaccination efforts to curb the long-term impacts of COVID-19 variants. The study underscores the vital role of vaccinations in lowering the risk of long COVID over time, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and preventive measures to combat the evolving challenges posed by COVID-19.