The COVID-19 vaccine is unique in having this effect on progression to a chronic condition, despite infection, the researchers say.
Plaque growth can lead to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening cardiovascular events for as long as 1 year.
Post-exertional malaise, or exercise intolerance, was seen in 36% of those with long COVID.
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Our systematic review published this week shows that rigorous, transparent evidence synthesis can persist even when traditional advisory processes falter.
But the overall odds are likely low and may well have ebbed since the pandemic peak.
The large-scale project was conducted by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy's Vaccine Integrity Project.
Flights from Asia played a larger role in disease spread than those from other countries, the study found.
Overall protection against infections peaked at 4 weeks after vaccination.
Immunocompromised adults and children should receive an age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine dose as soon as possible, the organization says.
The vaccines appear to sensitize tumors to cancer patients' immune checkpoint inhibitors, the researchers say.
No increased risk of congenital abnormalities was seen overall, by organ system, or for any of the 75 individual defects studied.
The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board says countries need to bolster primary healthcare systems, establish a pandemic risk monitoring system, and strengthen cooperation.
The excess risk was primarily seen among COVID-19 survivors who were hospitalized for their infections.
