National Vaccine Institute (NVI) and medical experts address inaccurate understanding about Long COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine adverse effects, emphasizing the need for accurate information dissemination by scientific evidence. In response to widespread misinformation about Long COVID-19 and the effects of COVID-19 vaccines, National Vaccine Institute (NVI), along with Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, medical specialists, national immunology experts, and the World Health Organization in Thailand, have jointly addressed these issues.
Long COVID-19, or Post COVID-19 condition, a condition that can occur after recovering from COVID-19, but it is not linked to COVID-19 vaccination. According to the World Health Organization, the causes of Long COVID-19 and why individuals are affected differently are still unclear necessitating ongoing monitoring and data collection to gain a comprehensive understanding of the condition. Common Long COVID-19 symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, memory problems, chronic cough, and more, which can affect daily life, but most individuals eventually recover. Importantly, several studies suggest that COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of Long Covid.
NVI also dispels claims of concealing information about vaccine-related adverse events. Information about people affected by COVID-19 vaccines in Thailand is systematically collected, assessed, diagnosed, and publicly disclosed. The Epidemiology Division, Department of Disease Control, adheres to World Health Organization guidance when monitoring adverse events following immunization. A national expert committee evaluates whether vaccine-related effects are plausible and considers other factors contributing to these conditions. The data is made available on the Epidemiology Division's website.
Additionally, NVI addresses the issue of excess deaths among the Thai population in 2022-2023, clarifying that these deaths result from various causes such as cancer and chronic diseases that lacked appropriate treatment. The relaxation of disease control measures led to an increase in traffic-related deaths unrelated to COVID-19. Analyzing excess death rate data does not provide evidence of a link to COVID-19 vaccination. The Ministry of Public Health continuously collects and reports death rate data, and further details regarding excess deaths will be published by the ministry.
NVI also addresses the issue of following up on the preliminary effects of COVID-19 vaccination in nearly 100 vaccinated individuals in Thailand over one year. Properly designed studies with control groups are required to avoid bias, ensuring accurate comparisons between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
Lastly, NVI clarifies a misunderstanding related to T-cell immunity exhaustion after a third vaccine dose. The information was misinterpreted, and researchers emphasized the importance of appropriate timing for booster shots. The World Health Organization recommends booster doses for specific populations, which aligns with Thailand's vaccination strategy.
NVI and its partners remain committed to collecting and sharing current academic information to address questions and concerns from the public accurately.