TWO jabs halve the risk of getting long Covid, a study has found.
Up to four out of 10 people who catch the virus still feel ill three months later – but vaccines could prevent it for millions.
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A study of two million Brits has revealed people are 49 per cent less likely to get long-lasting symptoms if they had two doses before catching Covid.
Nearly 43million people in the UK – 79 per cent of over-16s – are double-jabbed already while figures show 94 per cent have some level of antibodies from a vaccine or infection.
Professor Tim Spector, from King’s College London, said: “Vaccinations are massively reducing the chances of people getting long Covid in two ways.
“Firstly, by reducing the risk of any symptoms by eight to 10-fold.
“And then by halving the chances of any infection turning into long Covid, if it does happen.
“We are encouraging people to get their second jab as soon as they can.”
Long Covid can cause dozens of symptoms but tiredness and breathing problems are common, while a Washington University study last night warned many also suffer kidney damage.
Professor Spector’s study was run through the ZOE Covid app and compared long-term symptoms in different groups of people.
It found double-jabbed people are 31 per cent less likely to get symptoms if they catch the virus, and half as likely to get multiple symptoms in the first week.
And by preventing the illness or making it milder the first time around, the vaccines also stop long-term effects.
Dr Claire Steves, also from King’s College, added: “It’s good news that our research has found that having a double vaccination significantly reduces the risk of both catching the virus and if you do, developing long standing symptoms.
“However, among our frail, older adults and those living in deprived areas the risk is still significant and they should be urgently prioritised for second and booster vaccinations.”
Meanwhile, a separate study has found long Covid in children and teenagers is less common than experts feared, with around 14 per cent suffering it compared to up to 40 per cent of adults.
University College London and Public Health England surveyed teens who tested positive and estimated as few as 4,000 11 to 17-year-olds may have had long Covid in the second wave between September and March.
The figure could be as high as 32,000, they said, but this was still lower than expected.
UCL’s Professor Sir Terence Stephenson said: “In December people were describing up to 51 per cent of youth and teenagers having long Covid.
“So this study does move us a long way forward in saying that it’s not anything like the worst predictions during the height of the pandemic, but it’s still something to take very seriously.”
Source: Sun
