The impact of COVID-19 vaccination on long COVID prevention in the Omicron era: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
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Objectives
To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the prevention of long COVID (LC) in the Omicron era through an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods
We performed an update of our previously published systematic review and meta-analysis of vaccination and LC risk (searches between 1 January 2022 and 1 March 2024). Databases (Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Europe PMC, LILACS, Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register) were searched for studies published between 1 March 2024 and 13 July 2026.
Observational studies assessing the impact of vaccination on the risk of LC four or more weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. Vaccines were restricted to those centrally authorised in the European Union. Random-effects meta-analyses, restricted to adults, were performed to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) of LC in three comparisons: vaccinated (any dose) versus unvaccinated; booster vaccination versus unvaccinated; and booster vaccination versus primary course vaccination only.
Results
Nineteen new studies were identified, of which ten were included in the updated meta-analyses alongside eight studies from the original review. The pooled OR of LC in vaccinated adults (any dose) versus unvaccinated was 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67–0.84; 13 studies). ORs were also lower for booster vaccination versus unvaccinated (0.73; 95% CI 0.65–0.82; 6 studies), and booster vaccination versus primary course vaccination (0.63; 95% CI 0.53–0.75; 6 studies). Significant associations between vaccination and lower LC odds were observed in subgroup analyses of mRNA-only vaccination and LC outcomes three or more months after infection.
Conclusions
This updated review and meta-analysis reinforces our previous finding that vaccination may reduce the burden of LC in the Omicron era, with booster doses potentially providing additional protection. Although evidence in high-risk groups now prioritised for vaccination in most countries remains limited, these findings clearly demonstrate the benefits of vaccination and support current seasonal vaccination strategies.
