Around 4% of triple vaccinated adults reported experiencing long Covid symptoms 12 weeks after infection, according to official data.
Office for National Statistics data for the period to 27 May 2022 reveals of triple-vaccinated adults, 4.5%, 4.2% and 5.0% self-reported having long Covid 12 to 16 weeks after a first laboratory-confirmed Coronavirus infection compatible with the Omicron BA.1, Omicron BA.2 or Delta variants respectively.
Similar patterns were observed when focusing on self-reported long Covid that limited daily activities, but at lower levels of prevalence – 3.2%, 3.5% and 4.1% respectively, depending on the variant.
The ONS said there was no statistical evidence of differences in the odds of reporting long Covid among adults who were triple vaccinated when infected; including after statistically adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics for all three variant comparisons.
The data also showed that of double-vaccinated adults, 4.0% self-reported long Covid 12 to 16 weeks after a first infection compatible with the Omicron BA.1 variant, compared with 9.2% for those compatible with the Delta variant.
Ian Ranger, head of claims for group insurance at Canada Life said the findings mirrored the provider’s own experience where it had seen long Covid rank as the third highest cause of referral this year.
“We are finding that individuals suffering from long Covid are not only struggling physically, but may also have issues from a psychological and cognitive perspective,” Ranger said.
“In fact, Canada Life research has shown that one in four sufferers have experienced a decline in mental health and 15% are or were afraid of disclosing long Covid to their employer, fearing it will impact their position. Five per cent have even had to quit their job as a result of the virus.
“Employers have a duty of care to their employees and must formulate a plan for how they will support any employees that are suffering with long Covid,” he added.
Ranger noted the nature of an individual’s symptoms often meant returns need to be protracted.
“Simple steps such as considering flexible working arrangements as well as reviewing health and wellbeing benefits, will enable those with long Covid to manage their symptoms and recover quicker, while also lessening the impact on the business,” he continued.
“In addition, employers should think about training their staff to ensure they understand the impact of long Covid and make them aware of any employee benefits, policies and support in place that could help those suffering from long Covid.”