More and more people are affected by the long-term effects of the coronavirus. Recently, it became known that sickness absence as a result of covid-19 has skyrocketed. During the second quarter of this year, close to 350,000 working days have been lost, a development that worries assistant health director Espen Nakstad. For now, the health authorities have no effective treatment to offer those affected, and researchers worldwide are working to find out why the virus causes serious late-life problems in some people. But there are many indications that we are already in possession of a tool that can slow down the development of “long covid”. – The vaccine has an effect Researcher and doctor Arne Søraas at the University of Oslo leads the corona study which follows 150,000 Norwegians through the pandemic. He believes the research points to the vaccine being able to limit the extent of long-term effects. – I took the vaccine myself this autumn to, among other things, avoid “long covid”, says doctor and researcher Arne Søraas. Photo: Torstein Bøe / news – According to our research, it provides some protection. Of course, we had hoped that it would have worked even better. I still think the extent of “long covid” would be reduced if more people took the vaccine this autumn, says Søraas. Several studies abroad have arrived at similar results. A recent meta-analysis published by the University of Cambridge concluded that three doses can provide close to 70 percent protection against late effects. However, the research is not clear-cut, and other studies have concluded that the vaccine provides less protection. Would you like a booster dose of the vaccine this autumn? Yes, I want to be on the safe side. No, not if it is not recommended for my age group Show result – More people should consider taking a new dose It has almost been two years since many people in Norway received their last vaccine dose. Since then, the virus has mutated repeatedly, becoming far better at evading our immune system. The vaccine offered this autumn has been updated to work against the so-called XBB 1.5 variant. However, it is only recommended for those over 65 and for risk groups. Søraas believes that more people should consider taking another dose, even if they are younger than 65. – The vaccine also provides some protection against becoming infected for a period of time. If you don’t get infected, you won’t get late effects either. It will also result in a milder course of the disease. I myself have taken it this autumn, even though I am an ordinary 50-year-old, says Søraas. He points out that some get late-onset symptoms when they are infected for the second and third time, even if they didn’t get it the first time they got sick. news informs that Arne Søraas is associated with a medical service that works with vaccine advice and writing prescriptions for vaccines. This does not apply to corona vaccines or flu vaccines, but to other vaccine types. The most common symptoms of “long covid” cough shortness of breath fatigue headache palpitations chest pain joint pain reduced physical capacity depression insomnia concentration difficulties (“brain fog”) Source: NHI FHI not convinced Subject director Preben Aavitsland at FHI is not convinced, however. – We have not recommended vaccinating the entire population in an attempt to limit the extent of late-onset ailments. This is because the vast majority of young people and adults have been infected at least once and vaccinated two to four times. Thus, they have good protection against real covid-19 disease and consequently less risk of late-onset ailments, says Aavitsland. Subject director Preben Aavitsland at FHI believes that it has not been proven that a new vaccine dose will protect against “long covid”. Photo: Tor Erik Schrøder / NTB He believes the research does not provide any clear answers as to whether the vaccine provides protection against the long-term effects of the disease. – Unfortunately, research in this area has several possible sources of error, so the conclusions are uncertain. It is highly uncertain whether one extra vaccine dose can further reduce the risk, says Aavitsland. The subject director believes a new dose only postpones the inevitable for most people. – The virus will always be here, and we do not have a vaccine that provides permanent protection against being infected again. We have to expect to be infected on average about once a year, but the disease will generally be milder each time. Many will hardly notice that they are infected. The Norwegian Directorate of Health has previously warned that half the population will be infected in the coming months. – Should be offered to everyone Although FHI only recommends a new dose for those over 65 and vulnerable groups, it is still possible for others to receive the vaccine. – We have purchased a number of vaccines that will reach the recommended groups. Exceptionally, others can be vaccinated where there are special needs or wishes. The municipalities are encouraged to make arrangements so that these too can get a refresher, says Aavitsland. Researcher Arne Søraas believes that the State has a duty to ensure that everyone who wants to take the vaccine can get it. – They make it complicated for people who want to protect themselves by not giving clear information to those outside the risk groups. The corona vaccine should be equated with the flu vaccine. The new refresher dose is more effective against the new variants, and fewer people will get sick if they receive it, says Søraas.
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– The vaccine can protect against “long covid”
