biostudies-literatureThaweethai TNHLBI NIH HHS127907https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12670331biostudies-literatureUnknown68<h4>Purpose</h4>In adolescents (12-17 years), it is unknown whether COVID-19 vaccination reduces progression from COVID-19 to Long COVID (LC) beyond preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection. We assessed the effect of vaccination among SARS-CoV-2 infected adolescents.<h4>Methods and results</h4>Participants were recruited from over 60 US healthcare and community settings. The exposure was any COVID-19 vaccination 6 months prior to infection. The outcome was LC defined using the LC research index. Vaccinated (n = 724) and unvaccinated (n = 507) adolescents were matched on sex, infection date, and enrollment date. The risk of LC was 36 % lower (95 % CI, 17 %, 50 %) in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated participants.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Vaccination reduces the risk of LC. Given the profound impact LC cVaccinePreventive effect of vaccination on long COVID in adolescents with SARS-CoV-2 infection.PMC12670331OT2 HL161847OT2 HL156812OT2 HL161841Thaweethai TCarmilani MMilner JDKleinman LCKrishnamoorthy AStockwell MSMohandas SFitzgerald MLGross RSRhee KETantisira KWarburton DRECOVER-Pediatrics ConsortiumReeder HTSalisbury ALKinser PAPant DBJernigan TLWood JCSnowden JNFoulkes ASfalsePreventive effect of vaccination on long COVID in adolescents with SARS-CoV-2 infection.<h4>Purpose</h4>In adolescents (12-17 years), it is unknown whether COVID-19 vaccination reduces progression from COVID-19 to Long COVID (LC) beyond preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection. We assessed the effect of vaccination among SARS-CoV-2 infected adolescents.<h4>Methods and results</h4>Participants were recruited from over 60 US healthcare and community settings. The exposure was any COVID-19 vaccination 6 months prior to infection. The outcome was LC defined using the LC research index. Vaccinated (n = 724) and unvaccinated (n = 507) adolescents were matched on sex, infection date, and enrollment date. The risk of LC was 36 % lower (95 % CI, 17 %, 50 %) in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated participants.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Vaccination reduces the risk of LC. Given the profound impact LC c2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Dec2026-06-05T20:44:32.996Z2026-05-21T03:13:10.788ZS-EPMC126703314117696810.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127907