The third wave of COVID-19 is being discussed as the country is still struggling with the effects of the second wave. The probable impact of the third wave is being understood and a recent study is suggesting that high-seropositivity in children may keep them safe and not affect them more than others.
Seropositivity refers to a body’s ability to have a natural immune response to the virus. High seropositivity has been observed in children which may keep them safe from the third COVID-19 wave.
This study was conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and World Health Organisation (WHO) in five Indian states and the sample size was 10,000. The median age of the participants was 11 years, 12 years, 11 years, 13 years, and 14 years and they were from the following cities: Delhi urban, Delhi rural, Bhubaneswar, Gorakhpur, and Agartala ( in the same order).
The findings of the study state “The seroprevalence was 55.7 per cent in the and 63.5 percent in the 18 year age group. There was no statistically significant difference in prevalence between adult and children.
The key findings of the study shared facts about seroprevalence and were as follows:
- 59.3 per cent seroprevalence among children in Faridabad.
- 74.7 per cent seroprevalence in South Delhi’s densely-populated colony.
- 87.9 per cent seroprevalence in Gorakhpur.
- 51.9 per cent seroprevalence in Tripura.
These were the stats that were obtained from the studies. Children may potentially be safe from the effects of third-wave but it is best to stay prepared and take precautions. The vaccine trials for children are being planned and a few of them are already in the process.
The clinical trials for the Novavax vaccine are expected to start by July this year and will be conducted by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
