Rates of long COVID symptoms may be similar to that of of influenza, according to new research by Queensland Health. Source: Ahmet Polat.
Long COVID symptoms after vaccination similar to other viral illnesses, according to a release by Queensland Health this morning.
In Queensland’s highly vaccinated population, long COVID symptoms appeared no more severe than those caused by influenza according to the study, with new research from Queensland Health suggests that COVID-19 vaccination can reduce the incidences of long-COVID.
Long COVID symptoms include those that persist for more than 3 months after initial infection from COVID-19, including breathlessness, a cough, heart palpitations, headaches, and severe fatigue. It is unknown why some people have long-COVID but not others.
In the relatively small study by Queensland Health, patients were surveyed 12 weeks after being infected by the Omicron variant of COVID-19 reported similar levels of persistent symptoms as did patients who had been infected by the influenza virus.
The study involved 2,194 adults diagnosed with COVID-19 and 951 adults diagnosed with influenza, who were studied for 12 weeks and surveyed regarding any ongoing symptoms and functional impairment caused by their illness.
Of the people who had Omicron, 21 per cent (469) reported that they had ongoing symptoms at 12 weeks after infection, and 4 per cent (90) had moderate to severe functional limitations that impacted everyday life.
The people with influenza reported similar rates, with 23 per cent (214) of adults diagnosed reporting ongoing symptoms after 12 weeks, and 4 per cent (42) reporting moderate to severe functional limitations.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was clearly pleased with the results of the study, using it as vindication for her government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know our high vaccination rates protected Queenslanders from the worst of COVID-19. It appears they also helped suppress the severity of long-COVID symptoms,” she said.
“It backs up what we have seen from similar studies overseas that found unvaccinated people infected with COVID-19 were at greater risk of long-term symptoms.
“It is why I am proud to lead a Government [sic] that did all it could to protect the community against COVID-19 when the pandemic was at its peak, including vaccinating 80 per cent of the population before reopening our borders.
“There was fierce opposition to this but Queensland stood firm.”
The Queensland Government’s full statement can be read here.
