Immunity and COVID

As the pandemic moves to its third wave, observations across the world seem to worry parents throughout the world, as some experts is of the view, that the new delta variant is affecting children the most.¹

Children below 18 years account for 2-5% of the reported COVID-19 infections globally. Children are mostly infected through transmission in the household or in child care, or in schools. It was observed that transmission rate was higher in older children (10–19 years old) compared with younger children ( <10 years old). ²

Recent studies and scenario in the US are giving the alarm to the whole world as the number of total pediatric hospitalizations has risen above 2,000 just a few weeks. Last week updates that more than 180000 COVID-19 POSITIVE cases. Also, CDC reports suggest that most of the infections were being spread as more than 48.3% of people were still partially vaccinated. Health experts are of the view that reopening of schools, not following the preventive measures such as using masks properly and not being vaccinated were mainly infecting children as these were the places where the children spend most of their time and in close vicinity.³  

Many vaccines have been approved for use in people above 18 years, still, children younger than 16 aren′t fully approved for a vaccine. Only emergency use authorizations have been given to cover adolescents 12 and older. The next age group of children between the age group of 5-11 is being considered to get vaccinated under emergency use authorization from FDA, which would enable about 28 million additional children to receive the approved vaccine.³

The most concern lies, in preventing and reducing the chances of infection among children on the school premises. As studies and reports disclose that about 11,851 students and 2,610 employees had tested COVID-19 positive, confirming more than14, 461 cases since the school districts were tracking cases for the 2021-22 school year, Various Government committees and private organizations are now strictly issuing bans on schools not following the optimum preventive and protective measures.³

Seeing the surge in COVID-19 infection among kids, The Los Angeles Unified School District has implemented strict measures to keep the infection rate below 1%, the school districts have initiated measures to keep a check on the infection rate in about 1000 schools. They have also enforced rules that all the teachers and non-teaching staff or any visitor should be fully vaccinated, the mask is made mandatory, and weekly tests for every student and employee should be conducted regardless of vaccination status in order to enter the school premises. ³

UNICEF have listed some optimum prevention and protection of children from COVID-19 infection, ⁴

• Firstly keeping the children calm and mentally healthy and making them feel responsible and understand the importance of preventive measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19
• Teaching them to wear masks properly and in all public places.
• Teaching them the importance of vaccination and removing all myths related to vaccine
• Teaching them to wash their hands with soap or sanitizing the whole hand using 70 per cent sanitiser frequently.
• Helping to manage their healthy diet and restricting food intake, containing fat, high amount of sugars and salt, increasing obesity and risk among them.
• Drinking enough water and encouraging children to have fresh fruits and vegetables enhance the body’s natural innate immunity and act as a protective shield against COVID-19 infection.
• Avoiding public gathering
• Giving them first-hand knowledge of basic things required to handle in case of emergency.
• Keep them informed about the latest developments with COVID-19 and follow the advice and guidelines given by health care providers to protect from COVID-19.

Though reports are stating a rise in COVID-19 infection among children, proper guidance, taking care and following the preventive measures and getting vaccinated that are eligible and enhancing the immunity would aid in reducing the spread and thus keep children safe.

References:

1. Jr TH. Rise in child COVID-19 cases, hospital stays alarms officials: The Washington Times 2021 [cited 2021 28-Aug-21]. Available from: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/aug/27/rise-child-covid-19-cases-hospital-stays-alarms-of/.
2. COVID‐19 in childhood: Transmission, clinical presentation, complications and risk factors - Siebach - 2021 - Pediatric Pulmonology - Wiley Online Library
3. Madeline Holcombe. US COVID-19 cases among children are surging. Experts warn it may get worse: Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc; 2021 [cited 2021 28-Aug-21]. Available from: https://www.cnn.ph/world/2021/8/26/US-COVID-19-cases-among-children-surge.html
4. Ahmad I. COVID-19 and children  [cited 2021 28-aUG-21]. Available from: https://www.unicef.org/india/coronavirus/covid-19/covid-19-and-children?gclid=CjwKCAjw87SHBhBiEiwAukSeUU9HqZM_oBHnXJYvO3UesUs6D6Et_fxC3vio936Kuk_UmTAisQuCZhoC1esQAvD_BwE.