Two new studies published today offer significant reassurance for parents and policymakers alike. According to the findings, COVID-19 vaccines substantially reduce the risk of long COVID in kids and teens. The studies, published in JAMA Network Open, suggest that kids who receive the annual shots are 57-73% less likely to develop long COVID.
The research, led by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tracked over 600 children aged 5-17 in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Utah. The study found that among those infected with SARS-CoV-2, 28 developed long COVID. Notably, 12 of these cases (43%) occurred in unvaccinated individuals, while 136 controls (23%) also contracted the condition.
These findings bolster existing recommendations to keep kids up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines, which have prevented over 3 million deaths and 18 million hospitalizations worldwide. Despite this, only 14% of children aged 5-17 are currently up-to-date on their 2024-2025 shots. The research underscores the importance of vaccination in preventing long COVID, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/02/covid-shots-protect-kids-from-long-covid-and-dont-cause-sudden-death