Long COVID in a highly vaccinated population infected during a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron wave – Australia, 2022
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Objective
To characterise Long COVID in a highly vaccinated population infected by Omicron.
Design
Follow-up survey of persons testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Western Australia, 16 July-3 August 2022.
Setting
Community
Participants
22,744 persons with COVID-19 who had agreed to participate in research at the time of diagnosis were texted a survey link 90 days later; non-responders were telephoned. Post stratification weights were applied to responses from 11,697 (51.4%) participants, 94.0% of whom had received >= 3 vaccine doses.
Main outcome measures
Prevalence of ‘Long COVID’ - defined as reporting new or ongoing COVID-19 illness-related symptoms or health issues 90 days post diagnosis; associated health care utilisation, reductions in work/study and risk factors were assessed using log-binomial regression.
Results
18.2% (n=2,130) of respondents met case definition for Long COVID. Female sex, being 50-69 years of age, pre-existing health issues, residing in a rural or remote area, and receiving fewer vaccine doses were significant independent predictors of Long COVID (p < 0.05). Persons with Long COVID reported a median of 6 symptoms, most commonly fatigue (70.6%) and difficulty concentrating (59.6%); 38.2% consulted a GP and 1.6% reported hospitalisation in the month prior to the survey due to ongoing symptoms. Of 1,778 respondents with Long COVID who were working/studying before their COVID-19 diagnosis, 17.9% reported reducing/discontinuing work/study.
Conclusion
90 days post Omicron infection, almost 1 in 5 respondents reported Long COVID symptoms; 1 in 15 of all persons with COVID-19 sought healthcare for associated health concerns >=2 months after the acute illness.
Significance of the study
The known
The prevalence of Long COVID varies widely across studies conducted in diverse settings globally (range: 9%-81%).
The new
In a highly vaccinated population (94% with >=3 vaccine doses), almost 20% of persons infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant reported symptoms consistent with Long COVID 90 days post diagnosis. Long COVID was associated with sustained negative impacts on work/study and a substantial utilisation of GP services 2-3 months after the acute illness; however, ED presentations and hospitalisations for Long COVID were rare.
The implications
GP clinics play a significant role in managing the burden of Long COVID in Australia.
