Abstract
The persisting Covid-19 pandemic is causing both acute illness and longer-term debilitating symptoms: Long Covid. Long Covid also reduces worker productivity resulting in economic harm. A recent analysis suggests that Long Covid is likely costing the Australian economy approximately 0.5% of GDP in reduced productivity. In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) this GDP loss would translate to around NZ$2 billion per year. We need robust local data and economic analyses of productivity losses and other costs such as healthcare use to inform the cost-effectiveness of preventive interventions. Nevertheless, the NZ Government can take immediate action to reduce this joint health and economic burden by improving Covid vaccination eligibility and coverage and intensifying interventions that reduce community spread of Covid-19, including improvements in ventilation and air filtration in workplaces, schools, and other public settings. This Briefing reviews overseas evidence on the economic impact of Long Covid, considers its potential effects in the NZ context, and outlines actions that the NZ Government can take to mitigate these costs. Long Covid: growing recognition of a substantial impact on population health Long Covid refers to a change in health status that can persist for months or years following