A CITF-funded study, published in The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, reported an increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections among older children (>2 years old) during 2021–22, the first RSV season after a prolonged lack of virus circulation, compared to pre-pandemic years (2017-2020).
Ongoing monitoring of the serological status of children is important, particularly in the context of new variants of concern, low vaccine coverage, and low uptake of testing. Here, members of the CITF Secretariat summarize results from the four presentations given during the breakout session, “Seroprevalence and effects of COVID-19 on children and adolescents,” at the CITF Scientific Meeting in Vancouver, March 8-10, 2023.
A CITF-funded study, published in preprint and not-yet peer-reviewed, found that the almost complete absence of RSV circulation during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic mitigation measures led to waning antibody-mediated and cellular responses that protect against severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.
A CITF-funded study, published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, found that seroprevalence among children and adolescents in Montreal was 5.8% pre-Omicron (October 2020 to April 2021), spiking to 11.0% during the Omicron era (November 2021 until March 2022).
A CITF-funded study, published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, found that children under 5 years of age had greater increases in screen use, but lower increases in physical activity and outdoor play time compared to children between the ages of 5 and 12 during COVID-19 lockdowns. This study was led by Dr. Jonathan Maguire (University of Toronto).
A CITF-funded study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) discussed how parents’ experiences making decisions regarding SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for their children were complex, even for those who were supportive of vaccination. The study was led by Drs. Jonathan Maguire and Janet Parsons (University of Toronto). This research is part of the TARGet Kids! (Applied Research Group for Kids) Study.
The latest results from the CITF-funded ENCORE study, led by Dr. Kate Zinszer (Université de Montréal), looking at seroprevalence among children and adolescents in Montreal, found that 58% of young children and teens had infection-acquired antibodies between May and September 2022.
In a preprint, not yet peer-reviewed, CITF-funded researcher Dr. Pascal Lavoie (University of British Columbia) and colleagues found that children in British Columbia have been more vulnerable to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) following a lull while protective measures were in place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a preprint, not yet peer-reviewed, CITF-funded researchers Drs. Kate Zinszer (University of Montreal) and Caroline Quach (University of Montreal, Research Centre of the Sainte-Justine University Hospital) identified a variety of factors that contributed to an increased risk of seropositivity and seroconversion in children and adolescents.
In a pre-print, not yet peer reviewed, Dr. Meghan Azad (University of Manitoba) and her team reported on the study design and cohort profile for research examining the prevalence and predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission, as well as the predictors of the health and psychosocial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic among Canadian children and their families.