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COVID-19

Long COVID Incidence and Risk Factors in Older Adults

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

New research has shed light on the prevalence and risk factors associated with Long COVID, a condition that affects older adults with COVID-19. A recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A has identified a significant correlation between the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses and the incidence of Long COVID in a population-based sample of Medicare beneficiaries aged 66 and above. The study found that beneficiaries who received four or more vaccine doses had a 39% lower adjusted rate of Long COVID relative to those who had not received a prior dose.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed a cohort of 3,588,671 Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with COVID-19 between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023.
  • The overall incidence of Long COVID was 3.89% over 1 year, with a gradient in the 1-year cumulative incidence observed according to the number of prior COVID-19 vaccine doses.
  • Beneficiaries with four or more COVID-19 vaccine doses had a significantly lower adjusted rate of Long COVID (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.60-0.62).
  • The study suggests that promoting continued vaccination may be an effective strategy to mitigate the burden of Long COVID in older adults.
  • The findings have significant implications for public health policy and practice, particularly in the context of ongoing COVID-19 vaccination efforts and the management of Long COVID in older adults.

Statistics:

  • 3,588,671: The number of Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with COVID-19 in the study cohort.
  • 3.89%: The overall incidence of Long COVID over 1 year in the study population.
  • 39%: The reduction in adjusted Long COVID rate among beneficiaries with four or more vaccine doses compared to those with no prior dose.
  • 4 vaccine doses: The threshold at which a significant reduction in Long COVID risk was observed.

Sources:

  • Incidence of Long Covid Diagnoses In 3.6 Million Us Medicare Beneficiaries With Covid-19. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 2025;80(7).
  • NewsRx. New Findings from Providence VA Medical Center Describe Advances in COVID-19 (Incidence of Long Covid Diagnoses In 3.6 Million Us Medicare Beneficiaries With Covid-19). Managed Care Weekly Digest. July 21, 2025; p 118.

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