Almost a year after the worldwide appearance of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), several novel vaccines of diverse platforms have been successfully developed and administered. Two mRNA vaccines represented a new type of vaccine that comprised of synthetic mRNA molecules containing the code sequence necessary to build the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. These mRNA vaccines almost single handedly carried the brunt of the US COVID-19 immunization strategy during the past three years. The known and potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risks and adverse complications. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated unprecedented research on aspects of the vaccines’ ability to reduce the risk of severe infection and death. Likewise, basic immunological studies are pivotal to unraveling the potential and long-term effects of the vaccines as well as to be able to make adjustments to new vaccine development. As the circulating virus strain continues to evolve, updated vaccines will be critical to protecting the population, particularly the elderly and immune compromised.
COVID-19 ; Vaccination ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Myocarditis

Objective: To determine the otorhinolaryngologic manifestations of long COVID-19 infection among patients consulting at the Quezon City General Hospital. : Methods Design: Cross-Sectional Study Setting: Tertiary Government Hospital Participants: Patients aged 18 years old and above, who previously tested positive for the SARS-COV-2 Test, and consulted with otolaryngologic problems at the Outpatient department, Emergency Room, or were dmitted, or referred from other services to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, from October 2022 to January 2023 were considered for inclusion. Results: Out of 150 participants, 127 (84.67%) reported having otorhinolaryngologic symptoms. Five percent (5%) had ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 (4 to 12 weeks) and 11% had post COVID-19 syndrome (>12 weeks). Patients with long COVID-19 had rhinorrhea (54.51%), hyposmia (51.47%), dysgeusia (48.9%), anosmia (48.53%), sore throat (47.8%), ageusia (29.78%), tinnitus (23.53%), ear pain (23.53%), phantosmia (21.33%), and dizziness (11.76%). Out of 25 patients with long COVID, only 2 had pneumonia and 1 was hospitalized and eventually recovered. Conclusion This study showed a prevalence rate of 16% of long COVID-19 with rhinorrhea as the most prominent symptom. Long-term monitoring is essential and patients who had COVID should be advised to report any lingering illness which may subsequently develop. Physicians should be vigilant and aware of the clinical manifestations of long COVID in order to institute proper intervention.
COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Long COVID ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Long Haul COVID-19 ; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome ; Rhinorrhea