Government-wide Crisis Coordination Organization (GECKO) : High protection against “Long Covid” through vaccination

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CoV vaccination not only protects against a severe course of Covid-19, but there is growing evidence that it also protects against “long covid,” according to an executive report released today by the Government-wide Crisis Coordination Organization (GECKO).

Those vaccinated twice were only about half as likely to get “long covid” as those who were not vaccinated, regardless of the vaccine—those who develop post-covid symptoms despite vaccination report more rapid recovery.

“According to experts, the Covid 19 vaccination currently represents the most important preventive measure about Long Covid – both in terms of occurrence and progression,” says GECKO Chairman Major General Rudolf Striedinger, referring to the significantly improved data situation in recent weeks. Especially in the case of vaccinated persons over 60 years of age, a more rapid complete recovery can be observed in the event of an infection.

Further immunizations necessary

According to GECKO head Katharina Reich, vaccination remains essential to protect people in the coming weeks and months and prepare for the next cold season. According to a recent study by the Vienna University of Technology and the Medical University of Vienna, the immunity level would drop from the current 60 to 65 percent by Oct. 1 to about 12 percent if there were no further immunizations through vaccination or infection from the end of February.

The level of protection against hospitalization would drop from more than 80 percent currently to 30 to 45 percent without further immunization. According to the GECKO commission, the situation in hospitals is “tense in some areas, but not threatening,” with comparatively high staff shortages causing problems.

When it comes to testing – where the health minister was recently given the go-ahead to abandon the current strategy of free tests – the experts emphasize Omikron’s comparatively limited informative value. Results of tests taken 24 hours ago or longer would lose significance as an access regulation because of the faster transmission at Omikron.

However, according to the recommendation of the GECKO experts, testing should only be set to “stand-by, “as should other measures for monitoring and controlling the pandemic.