Effect of Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 on Long COVID-19: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have saved millions of lives and played an important role in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is also associated with reduced disease severity and, perhaps, with COVID-19 symptom burden. In this narrative review, we present, in a clinically relevant question-and-answer manner, the evidence regarding the association between vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and long COVID-19. We discuss how the mechanism of action of vaccines could interplay with the pathophysiology of post-COVID-19 condition. Furthermore, we describe how specific factors, such as the number of vaccine doses and the type of SARS-CoV-2 variants, may affect post-COVID-19 condition. We also discuss the role of timing for vaccination in relation to the onset of long COVID-19 symptoms, as it seems to affect the frequency and severity of the condition. Additionally, we describe the potential modifying effect of age, as well as the association of type and level of immune response with long COVID-19. We also describe how system-specific long COVID-19 sequelae, namely neurocognitive-psychologic symptoms and cardiovascular pathology, could be altered by vaccination. Last, we address the question of whether seasonal influenza vaccination has a meaningful impact on the frequency of long COVID-19.

Patients’ Post-/Long-COVID Symptoms, Vaccination and Functional Status—Findings from a State-Wide Online Screening Study

“…On the other hand, previous evidence (e.g., [ 20 ]) concluded from six articles that vaccination could reduce the risk of post-/long-COVID, suggesting that every additional dose is more effective (see also [ 41 , 42 ]) in reducing the risk for post-/long-COVID. Overall, there is an agreement [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ] that vaccination cannot entirely avoid the risk of breakthrough infections and, thus, long-term symptoms.…”

“…An important strategy to manage the impact of acute infections and prevent the long-term effects of COVID-19 in the first place is vaccinations. Some previous research on SARS-CoV-2 has shown that vaccinations can help to reduce infection severity or prevent severe symptom developments over time [ 19 ]. This can also lower the risk of hospitalization and death.…”

Health and Well-Being through COVID-19 Vaccination: Physical, Oral, and Psychological Effects

“…The COVID-19 vaccines work by triggering an immune response against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus [ 21 , 22 ]. The vaccines can either deliver viral components, such as viral proteins, or genetic material delivered by a vector, such as a benign virus.…”

Therapeutic Vaccination Is the Most Promising Intervention for Long COVID

“…These findings were supported by 3 different in-depth assessments of the UK survey and several smaller studies investigating the therapeutic effect of vaccination in long COVID. 5–7…”

“…These findings were supported by 3 different in-depth assessments of the UK survey and several smaller studies investigating the therapeutic effect of vaccination in long COVID. [5][6][7] Therapeutic vaccinations have a long history. In 1891, Robert Koch promoted the use of tuberculin as a specific treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis, with generally disappointing results and substantial "reactions."…”