Abstract. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to hundreds of millions of infections and six million deaths globally, presenting the medical community with the challenge of addressing long COVID, or post-COVID syndrome, characterized by persistent symptoms following the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Studies indicate that, similar to other viral infections, a variety of systemic and specific conditions can continue or re-emerge in individuals recovering from COVID-19. This phenomenon has garnered significant attention from researchers worldwide and has emerged as a pressing social issue.
Purpose. This review examines the prevalence of post-COVID conditions, their clinical manifestations, and their association with COVID-19 vaccinations.
Methods. We conducted a literature search in the Scopus and PubMed databases for articles published between 2021 and 2023, using keywords such as "post-COVID syndrome," "vaccination against COVID-19," "post-COVID condition," and "long COVID." A total of 100 publications were analyzed, with 92 articles meeting the study criteria. We focused on literature addressing post-COVID-19 conditions globally and vaccine prevention strategies, revealing a direct link between vaccination and a reduced risk of developing post-COVID symptoms, as well as in patients with existing post-COVID syndrome.
Conclusion. As widespread vaccination efforts continue and new variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerge that tend to cause less severe disease, it appears that the frequency and severity of post-COVID syndrome may be decreasing. Nonetheless, further investigation is essential. Providing updated data is crucial for informing organizations and allocating resources effectively to mitigate the social, economic, and public health impacts of these conditions.
Keywords. Post-COVID syndrome, vaccination against COVID-19, post-COVID condition, long COVID