Study: COVID-19 Vaccination Significantly Reduces Long COVID risk in Children

Children who received the COVID-19 vaccine experienced a significantly reduced risk of developing long COVID symptoms compared to their unvaccinated peers, according to research published in JAMA Network Open on March 4, 2025. The study, which spanned from Dec. 20, 2021, to March 7, 2023, provides compelling evidence of the protective benefits of vaccination against the prolonged effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in young individuals. Led by anna R. Yousaf, MD, a medical officer at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, the study underscores the importance of vaccination in mitigating the long-term health consequences of COVID-19 in children aged 5 to 17.

Key Findings: Vaccination’s Protective Effect

The study revealed that vaccinated children were approximately half as likely to develop one or more long COVID symptoms. Furthermore,the protective effect extended to the severity of symptoms,with vaccinated children experiencing a 75% reduction in the likelihood of long COVID symptoms impacting their daily functioning. This highlights the potential for COVID-19 vaccination to not only prevent severe illness but also to safeguard against the debilitating long-term effects of the virus in children.

• Children were around half as likely to develop one or more long COVID symptoms if they were vaccinated.
• Vaccinated children were 75% less likely to experience long COVID symptoms that affected daily function.

The Scope of Long COVID in Children

Long COVID poses a notable threat to children’s health and well-being. The researchers,including Anna R. Yousaf, MD, emphasized the potential impact. “An estimated 1% to 3% of children infected with SARS-CoV-2 will develop long COVID,” they wrote. While children frequently enough experience mild initial symptoms from SARS-CoV-2 infection, long COVID can still emerge, even after mild cases. These symptoms can be “prolonged, debilitating and contribute to school absenteeism,” significantly affecting a child’s quality of life and educational progress.

Study Methodology and Participant Demographics

The case-control study involved 622 children aged 5 to 17 years, with an average age of 10. All participants had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between Dec. 20, 2021, and March 7, 2023, and were eligible for COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. The study compared 28 participants (46% girls) who experienced at least one long COVID symptom with a control group of 594 individuals (48% girls) who did not develop long COVID.

The study revealed that a larger proportion of children in the control group had received COVID-19 vaccinations compared to those who developed long COVID (77% vs. 57%; P = .05). Additionally, at the beginning of the study, more participants with long COVID reported their baseline health as good, fair, or poor, rather than excellent or very good, compared to the control group (25% vs. 9%). The authors suggested that “participants with poorer baseline health might potentially be more likely to report” long COVID.

The impact of long COVID was ample, with more than half of the participants with long COVID (57%) reporting at least one symptom that affected their day-to-day function.

Vaccination’s Impact on Long COVID Symptoms

The adjusted analysis provided further insights into the protective effects of vaccination. according to Yousaf and colleagues,vaccinated children were 57% less likely to have at least one long COVID symptom (adjusted OR = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19-0.98) and 73% less likely to experience two or more symptoms (aOR = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.1-0.69). Moreover, vaccinated children were 72% less likely to report respiratory long COVID symptoms (aOR = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.1-0.75) and 75% less likely to have symptoms that impacted their daily function (aOR = 0.25; 95% CI, 0.08-0.74).

These findings highlight the significant reduction in both the occurrence and severity of long COVID symptoms among vaccinated children.

Addressing Parental Vaccine Hesitancy

The researchers addressed the issue of parental vaccine hesitancy, noting that “surveys have shown that one reason behind parental COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is the idea that COVID-19 in children is usually a mild illness and thus vaccination is not necessary.” Though, they emphasized that “even mild or asymptomatic SARS-cov-2 infection can result in postinfectious sequelae,” underscoring the importance of vaccination even in cases where the initial infection is mild or asymptomatic.

Yousaf and colleagues further emphasized that “because both case and control participants had SARS-CoV-2 infection, the overall protection from post-COVID-19 condition is likely even higher, as these estimates do not account for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection by vaccination.”

Expert viewpoint

Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, a senior clinical epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis, offered his viewpoint on the study’s findings:

The findings are consistent with the body of evidence showing that in 2021-2022 vaccines reduced the risk of long COVID in children and in adults.
ziyad Al-Aly, MD, Senior clinical epidemiologist, Washington University in St. Louis

However, Al-Aly also raised concerns about the relevance of the data in the current context, stating:

The major knowledge gap is whether vaccines in 2025 or 2026 or later will still offer protection. The virus is evolving, and people have been exposed to multiple infections; the effectiveness of vaccines in reducing risk of adverse events in the acute and post-acute phase should be continuously evaluated.
Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, Senior clinical epidemiologist, Washington University in St. Louis

He emphasized the need for updated evidence, questioning whether vaccines still offer protection in 2025 and who woudl benefit from them. “We need updated evidence. I would like to know whether vaccines still offer protection in 2025 and in whom. Simply put,who would benefit from vaccines in 2025?”

Conclusion: Vaccination as a Key Strategy

The study published in JAMA Network Open provides compelling evidence that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces the risk of long COVID in children. While the long-term effectiveness of vaccines against evolving variants remains a topic for ongoing research, the current findings strongly support vaccination as a key strategy for protecting children from the immediate and prolonged health consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The research underscores the importance of addressing parental vaccine hesitancy and promoting vaccination to safeguard the health and well-being of children in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Long COVID in Children: Vaccination’s Protective Shield – A Medical Expert Interview

Did you know that even mild COVID-19 infections in children can lead to long-term health issues? This alarming reality underscores the crucial role of vaccination in protecting young ones from the debilitating effects of this virus. Let’s delve into the science behind this with Dr. Evelyn Reed, a leading pediatric infectious disease specialist.

World Today News: Dr.Reed, recent studies highlight a considerably reduced risk of long COVID among vaccinated children. Can you explain the mechanisms behind this protective effect?

Dr. Reed: The studies you reference show convincingly that COVID-19 vaccination offers substantial protection against long COVID in children. The exact mechanisms aren’t fully understood, but we certainly know that vaccination triggers a robust immune response, generating antibodies and memory B and T cells that target the virus. This preemptive immune response helps to minimize the viral load during infection, reducing the duration and severity of illness.Lower viral load translates directly into a reduced likelihood of developing the persistent inflammatory responses linked to long COVID. Think of it like this – a well-prepared army (the immune system) is better equipped to swiftly neutralize an invading force (the virus), limiting the collateral damage (long COVID symptoms).

World Today News: The study mentioned a reduction in the severity of symptoms impacting daily function. Can you elaborate on the types of long COVID symptoms seen in children and how vaccination mitigates their impact?

dr. Reed: Yes, vaccinated children experience a meaningful decrease in both the prevalence and the severity of long COVID symptoms affecting their daily lives. Common long COVID symptoms in children include:

• Fatigue and brain fog: impacting concentration and academic performance.
• Respiratory issues: such as persistent cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
• Gastrointestinal problems: like abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.
• Neurological symptoms: affecting sleep, mood, and cognitive function.

Vaccination significantly reduces the frequency and intensity of these symptoms, allowing children to maintain more normal levels of activity and participation in school and social life.

World Today news: The study notes that even mild COVID-19 cases can lead to long COVID. How does this change our understanding of the disease’s impact in children, and what should parents understand about this?

Dr. Reed: That’s a crucial point. Many parents believe that COVID-19 is a mild illness in children, minimizing the urgency of vaccination.But the truth is even asymptomatic or mild initial infections can trigger long-term complications. We are learning the virus’s effects are far-reaching, frequently enough emerging long after the initial symptoms subside.Symptoms can significantly impact learning, social interactions, and overall well-being. This prolonged illness – which may involve various organ systems – should not be underestimated. Consequently, vaccination, which helps lessen symptom severity and infection duration, represents a vital strategy for mitigating long-term risks.

World Today News: The study addresses parental vaccine hesitancy

Long COVID in Children: Vaccination – A Protective Shield? An Expert Interview

Did you know that even a seemingly mild COVID-19 infection in a child can lead to long-term health complications? This concerning reality highlights the critical importance of vaccination in safeguarding children’s well-being. Let’s explore this further with Dr. Evelyn Reed, a leading pediatric infectious disease specialist.

World Today News: Dr. Reed, recent studies show a substantially reduced risk of long COVID among vaccinated children. Can you explain the mechanisms behind this protective effect?

Dr. Reed: The studies demonstrate convincingly that COVID-19 vaccination offers considerable protection against long COVID in children. While the precise mechanisms aren’t fully elucidated, we know vaccination triggers a robust immune response, generating antibodies and memory B and T cells that target the virus. This proactive immune response helps minimize the viral load during infection, reducing illness duration and severity. Lower viral load directly translates to a decreased probability of developing the persistent inflammatory responses associated with long COVID. Think of it as a well-trained immune system, better equipped to quickly neutralize the virus, thus limiting the long-term damage. This is especially true given the potential for long-term health issues even with a mild initial illness.

World Today News: The studies mentioned a reduction in the severity of symptoms impacting daily function. Can you elaborate on the types of long COVID symptoms seen in children and how vaccination mitigates their impact?

Dr. Reed: Vaccinated children experience a considerable decrease in both the frequency and intensity of long COVID symptoms affecting their daily lives. Common long COVID symptoms observed in children include:

Fatigue and “brain fog”: impacting concentration and academic performance.

Respiratory issues: such as persistent cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Gastrointestinal problems: like abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.

Neurological symptoms: affecting sleep, mood, and cognitive function.

Vaccination significantly reduces the occurrence and intensity of these symptoms, enabling children to maintain more normal activity levels and participate fully in school and social life.

world Today News: The study highlights that even mild COVID-19 cases can lead to long COVID. how does this shift our understanding of the disease’s impact on children, and what should parents understand about this?

Dr. Reed: That’s a critical point. Many parents mistakenly believe COVID-19 is always mild in children, downplaying the urgency of vaccination. However, even asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic initial infections can trigger long-term complications. We’re learning that the virus’s effects are far-reaching, frequently enough emerging long after the initial symptoms resolve. These symptoms can significantly impact learning, socialization, and overall well-being.This prolonged illness, possibly involving multiple organ systems, should not be underestimated. therefore, vaccination, which helps lessen symptom severity and infection duration, is a vital strategy for mitigating long-term risks. Understanding this potential for prolonged symptoms is crucial.

World today news: What key recommendations woudl you give parents regarding COVID-19 vaccination for their children?

Dr.Reed: Based on current scientific evidence, I strongly recommend COVID-19 vaccination for eligible children. The benefits far outweigh the risks, especially considering the potential for long-term complications, even after mild infections. Open communication with your pediatrician,informed by reliable sources like the CDC and WHO,is essential in making well-informed decisions for your child’s health. Don’t hesitate to discuss your concerns and address any vaccine hesitancy with a medical professional.

the protection offered by COVID-19 vaccination against long COVID in children is substantial. While further research continues to refine our understanding, the current data strongly support vaccination as a vital strategy for safeguarding children’s health.Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!