A new observational study conducted by Canadian researchers has found that COVID-19 vaccination after experiencing long COVID is associated with fewer symptoms, improved well-being, and reduced inflammation. Long COVID, also known as post-COVID condition (PCC), refers to the persistence of symptoms for more than 12 weeks after an acute COVID-19 infection, affecting a significant proportion of patients.
While the protective effects of vaccination against severe disease and hospitalization are well-established, little is known about the impact of vaccination on individuals who have already been diagnosed with PCC. The study followed 83 participants from Montreal who had previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and were diagnosed with PCC prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The participants were monitored for up to 24 months.
At the start of the study, the most common PCC symptoms reported by participants included fatigue (81.9%), difficulty concentrating (47.0%), memory problems (39.8%), headaches (32.5%), and shortness of breath at rest (31.3%). Following vaccination, the majority of participants reported an improvement in well-being scores (77.8%) and a reduction in the number of PCC symptoms (86%).
Furthermore, the study found a significant decrease in systemic inflammatory cytokine/chemokine levels in the participants’ blood samples after vaccination. This suggests that the vaccination helped mitigate the levels of inflammatory proteins associated with increased severity and poor prognosis in acute COVID-19 cases.
The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccination for individuals with long COVID. By reducing symptoms, improving well-being, and decreasing inflammation, vaccination offers hope for those suffering from the long-term effects of COVID-19. It underscores the importance of vaccination as a crucial strategy in addressing the public health challenges posed by long COVID.
Sources:
– International Journal of Infectious Diseases
– Canadian researchers
