Vaccination Status in School Children and Risk for COVID-19

Recent surveys suggest that many parents are reluctant to permit SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for their school-aged children. In this study, researchers in North Carolina used a private secondary school (grades 6–12) with 1128 students to assess risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptomatic COVID-19 according to vaccination status. The study was conducted during a high level of SARS-CoV-2 Delta transmission, starting on August 1, 2021, and continuing to November 12, 2021. School nurses monitored vaccination status, infections, and exposures. Symptomatic students were required to undergo testing. The school required indoor masking, and all classes were in person.

By November 2021, nearly 74% of students had been vaccinated. Twenty unvaccinated students (6.7%) and 7 vaccinated students (0.8%) reported infections during the study period. The respective numbers for symptomatic infections were 16 (5.4%) and 5 (0.6%). Only 2 of the 27 total infections were classified as resulting from in-school transmission.

COMMENT

The vaccination rate in this school system is far higher than that reported in national surveys. The differential rate of infection, whether overall or symptomatic, for unvaccinated versus vaccinated students makes for compelling guidance to parents who ask about the value of vaccination. The low rate of transmission in this school (where masks were required indoors) also speaks to the value of vaccination plus a mask mandate during periods of high viral activity in the community.

https://www.jwatch.org/na54680/2022/03/03/vaccination-status-school-children-and-risk-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR2rTyZtyhN9l1drNCzSCjsTW46bNyWbFFHXEAEUqEy9HHBaWoyU43hzBhg

Créditos: Comité científico Covid