COVID-19, long COVID remain popular topics of research in 2024

Although reports on COVID-19 cases and death have seemingly tapered off, COVID-19 and long COVID remained a heavy focus of research throughout this year.

Topics investigated by researchers across fields included the impact of vaccination and vaccination rates, predictors of long COVID and growing evidence of Paxlovid’s positive impact on patients.

Below are 10 selected stories about COVID-19 research and breakthroughs that we reported on this year.

Should US consider risk-based recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines?

CDC advisors introduced the idea of transitioning the U.S. from a universal recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination to a recommendation based on individual risk factors. We spoke to experts about the pros and cons of each strategy and whether the U.S. should rethink how it approaches COVID-19. Read more.

Fauci: HIV, COVID-19 pandemics taught us to ‘expect the unexpected’

Despite being decades apart, the HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 pandemics shared many lessons that can be applied to future pandemics and health emergencies. The most important lesson, according to Anthony S. Fauci, MD, is to “expect the unexpected.” Read more.

Severe infection, rituximab use predict long COVID in patients with autoimmune disease

Severe acute COVID-19 infection, as well as glucocorticoid and rituximab use, increase the risk for long COVID in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases by up to 62%. Read more.

Exposure to air pollutants may increase the persistent, long COVID risk

Greater exposure to particulate matter in the air may be linked to longer duration of long COVID symptoms, according to a study that assessed environmental exposures including particulate matter, traffic noise at night, green spaces and artificial light at night. Read more.

Neurologic symptoms of long COVID more common in younger adults

Adults aged 18 to 64 years had a greater neurological burden of long COVID — including symptoms such as fatigue, sleep issues and memory executive function — compared with adults aged 65 years and older. Read more.

Study provides more positive data for Paxlovid use in high-risk patients with COVID-19

Paxlovid significantly reduced times to sustained alleviation and resolution of COVID-19 illness and resulted in fewer hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths. Read more.

Having multiple long-term conditions triples children’s risk for death after COVID-19

People with multiple long-term conditions were 2.61 times more likely to die after having COVID-19, whereas children with multiple long-term conditions specifically had a 2.84-times higher risk for death. Read more.

COVID-19 vaccination rates plummet among nursing home personnel

The COVID-19 vaccination rate among nursing home personnel fell to 10.5% last season, with only about 15% of the approximately 8 million health care personnel working in acute-care hospitals receiving one of the updated COVID-19 shots. Read more.

CDC recommends 2nd COVID shot for some, lowering age for pneumococcal vaccination

A CDC advisory committee recommended that adults aged 65 years or older and anyone who is at least moderately immunocompromised receive a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine this season. Read more.

VIDEO: Paxlovid effective for people with prior immunity, study shows

Paxlovid reduced the risk for severe COVID-19 hospitalization or death among people with existing immunity from a previous infection or vaccination, John M. McLaughlin, PhD, explained at IDWeek. Watch video.