Long Covid sufferers, researchers calling for study, funding

Researchers have the effects of 'Long Covid' in their sights, AND the impact that the vaccine has on it. University of Auckland researchers want funding to look into the issue.. as the Pfizer rollout gathers pace across the country. While early evidence suggested some "long haulers", as they're known, found their symptoms improved after getting vaccinated, others reported getting worse. Covid long hauler Jenene Crossan has added her voice to a crowd funding campaign for the research, which she hopes will yield answers to this and the myriad other questions facing people suffering the debilitating condition. She was diagnosed with Covid-19 in March last year and spent four traumatising days in hospital. Since then Jenene has continued to suffer the fatigue and brain fog common to long haulers, while the condition also triggered severe internal issues requiring surgery. She told to our producer Matthew Theunissen why research into long Covid is so important. University of Auckland immunologist Anna Brooks is heading the campaign to secure research funding. But she says for the research to be effective, they need to get underway fast.