SEROCoV-KIDS: a new study on children and teenagers!
Little is yet known about the impact of the pandemic on younger people. However, their health may have been directly affected as a result of infection with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19), with possible complications such as long COVID. The pandemic may also have altered their well-being, development and other aspects of their health.
The new SEROCoV-Kids study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and development of 3,000 children and adolescents in the canton of Geneva.
For 3 years, our research teams will be following a pre-selected, representative group of young people aged between 6 months and 17 years. Participation in the study involves taking blood samples every 18 months to test for the presence of antibodies. It also includes questionnaires to be completed two to four times a year on the Specchio-COVID19 secure digital platform. The study covers children who have not been vaccinated as well as those who have been vaccinated and/or have tested positive for COVID-19. SEROCoV-KIDS is of direct benefit to all children, as the study will make it possible, among other things, to assess the persistence of their antibodies over time.
The results will provide a better understanding of the impact of the pandemic on the general health, well-being, development, education, socio-economic and family environment, and lifestyle of children and adolescents.
They will also be able to help guide public health decisions.
In this way, the youngest members of society are joining a collective effort to advance research. The benefits extend to society as a whole. More than 10,000 people are already actively participating in the Specchio-COVID19 studies.
The project is funded by the Jacobs Foundation and theFederal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
