A study by the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found that people who have received the complete COVID-19 vaccine are less likely to experience symptoms of prolonged COVID (long COVID) after being infected with the virus. The study looked at 15 national and international studies on the long impact of COVID.
Eight studies looked at the effects of vaccinations carried out before transmission and found that vaccine recipients were less likely to experience long symptoms of COVID than people who had not been vaccinated.
"These studies add to the potential benefits of receiving the full COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from severe symptoms when infected and may also help reduce the long-term impact," ukhsa chair mary ramsay said in a statement.
"For most people, long symptoms of COVID are short-lived and resolve over time. However, for some people these symptoms can become more severe and interfere with their daily lives. If you experience any unusual symptoms, especially for more than four weeks after infection, you should think about contacting your doctor."
The studies compared the symptoms of long COVID before and after vaccination. From there it was found that the symptoms of vaccine recipients exposed to the virus improved rather than the worsening conditions experienced by people who were not vaccinated.
The National Health Service (NHS) said the study was an important reminder of the power and benefits of vaccines in preventing viruses and preventing health services from being overwhelmed by the surge and wave of pandemics before vaccine launches.
"With more than 10,000 COVID-19 patients hospitalized – this research is a fitting and important reminder that vaccines remain our best protection against viruses, reducing the potential for severe disease and the long effects of COVID," said NHS medical director Stephen Powis.
"The NHS vaccine programme has helped prevent 100,000 more inpatients since mid-December alone, and so the NHS is clear, when it qualifies to get your vaccine immediately."