Coronavirus cases are multiplying on a daily basis, and many of these infections are emerging in people who have been fully vaccinated.
Research is continuing to shed light on the risk factors that increase your chances of contracting Covid after receiving the covid vaccine.
Although age is a well-established risk factor, it is not the only factor to consider.
According to New work carried out by the UK’s ZOE COVID Study app, people with health issues that hindered their independence – such as frailty – were up to twice as likely to get COVID-19 infection following both their doses.
These findings highlight the importance of assisting vulnerable communities.
COVID-19 has already been shown to have a disproportionate impact on frail adults.
To gather their findings, the researchers analyzed data from app contributions, including logged symptoms, tests and over two million vaccine doses on the UK ZOE COVID Study app between December 8 and July 4, 2021.
The researchers looked at a range of characteristics, including age, frailty, and deprivation, and compared them to post-vaccination infection.
The study also found that those who got COVID-19 after two doses were:
- 73 percent less likely to be hospitalized
- 31 percent less likely to experience acute Covid symptoms.
The researchers reported that the most common symptoms were similar to unvaccinated adults.
For example, anosmia (loss of smell), cough, fever, headaches, and fatigue. However, all these symptoms were milder and less frequently reported by people who were vaccinated, and they were half as likely to get multiple symptoms in the first week of illness.
Sneezing was the only symptom that was more commonly reported in vaccinated people with COVID-19.
Lead researcher Dr Claire Steves from King’s College London said:
“In terms of the burden of long Covid, it’s good news that our research has found that having a double vaccination significantly reduces the risk of both catching the virus and, if you do, developing long-standing symptoms.
“However, among our frail, older adults and those living in deprived areas, the risk is still significant and they should be urgently prioritised for second and booster vaccinations.”
