Does COVID-19 vaccination reduce the risk and duration of post-COVID-19 condition? : rapid systematic literature review

Whilst it is well established that COVID-19 vaccination protects against severe outcomes of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as hospitalisation and death [1,2], there is still uncertainty as to whether vaccination also reduces the risk and/or duration of a wide range of post-acute COVID-19 symptoms, commonly referred to as 'long COVID'. Assessment of evidence is complicated by the wide range of qualifying symptoms, minimum symptom durations and time-since-infection criteria used to define 'long COVID' in observational studies. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has established consolidated clinical case definitions for post-acute COVID-19 symptoms in adults [3] and children/adolescents [4], applying the specific terminology 'post COVID-19 condition' (PCC), to support harmonised reporting on post-acute COVID-19 outcomes. Determining whether COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk and/or duration of PCC may critically inform decision-making on public health interventions to reduce the burden of COVID-19 disease.