NEW research suggests that the incidence of long COVID symptoms may not be more severe than those seen in influenza. The Queensland Health study was conducted in a highly vaccinated population, where 90% of Queensland’s population had been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Patients who had been diagnosed with Omicron were surveyed 12 weeks after their infection and reported similar incidence of persistent symptoms as patients who had been infected with influenza.
During the concurrent waves of Omicron and influenza in mid-2022, the study observed 2,195 adults diagnosed with COVID-19 and 951 adults diagnosed with influenza. They were monitored for 12 weeks and asked about ongoing symptoms and functional impairment using a questionnaire. Of those diagnosed with Omicron, 21% (469) reported ongoing symptoms at 12 weeks, and 4% (90) reported having moderate to severe functional limitations in everyday life. Comparatively, 23% (214) of adults diagnosed with influenza reported ongoing symptoms, and 4% (42) reported moderate to severe functional limitations.
The study is the first of its kind in Queensland to consider the state’s individual experience with a milder COVID-19 variant infecting a highly vaccinated population.
The results will be presented at the prestigious European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. The study shows that long-term symptoms are not unique to COVID-19 when applied to Queensland’s highly vaccinated population, and the impact of long COVID on the health system is likely to stem from the number of people infected with COVID-19 rather than the severity of long COVID symptoms.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said: “It appears that our high vaccination rates protected Queenslanders from the worst of COVID-19.”
“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. The study is a reminder that the best way we can continue to protect ourselves is remaining up to date with vaccinations.” The study also found that vaccination could reduce the incidence of long COVID.
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath stated, “The fact that long-COVID symptoms are on par with those of other seasonal viral illnesses in Queensland shows how critical vaccination is. The study is a reminder that the best way we can continue to protect ourselves is remaining up to date with vaccinations.”
Chief Health Officer, Dr John Gerrard, said: “Vaccination is effective against severe disease, and the vast majority of vaccinated Queenslanders recover quickly from COVID-19 or influenza infection.”
“While getting vaccinated remains the best protection against COVID-19, the problem of waning immunity in older Queenslanders remains a concern. People over the age of 65 should seek another dose of COVID-19 vaccine if it has been more than six months since previous vaccination or natural infection.”
The study suggests that long-COVID symptoms in highly vaccinated populations may not be more severe than those seen in influenza. The study highlights the importance of vaccination to reduce the incidence of long COVID and to protect against severe disease.
However, the problem of waning immunity in older Queenslanders remains a concern, and they should seek another dose of COVID-19 vaccine if it has been more than six months since previous vaccination or natural infection.