Third Wave Not A Greater Risk In Children: AIIMS

With constant analysis over possible third wave could affect children, a serosurvey conducted by AIIMS states that it is highly unlikely that third wave or any presumed wave of Covid-19 will largely affect children with the prevailing variants of coronavirus. The news is a sigh of relief amidst a number of health experts claiming alarming analysis about the possible third wave affecting children more than adults.

AIIMS has meticulously gathered data between March 15 and June 10, 2021, from 4,509 participants across four states. Among 4509, 700 were less than 18 years of age and 3,809 were above it. The study found the prevalence of Covid antibodies in 55.7 per cent of those between 2 and 17 years of age, and in 63.5 per cent of those above 18. The overall seroprevalence was found to be 65.9 per cent. Also, the 2nd seroprevalence study in August-September 2020 had found 9 per cent of the 3,021 children aged 10-17 years seropositive. The latest study by AIIMS has found 60.3 per cent of those in 10-17 years were previously infected with Covid.

It is a harsh truth that the third wave of COVID 19 would definitely abate at some point in future. The Government is also easing out the various restrictive measures that had been put in place in order to revitalise the debilitated economy. It is very much unfortunate on our part that after abatement of the first wave, we all have collectively declared triumph over the deadly virus although the scientists and experts were very much certain that the second wave was imminent. Now the situation repeats with the end of the second wave.

The health sectors of many states have nearly crippled. Large sections of the entire populace hardly bothered to maintain the basic COVID protocols and abstain from participating in large public gatherings. Perhaps, history will never forgive us for the kind of thoughtlessness that we all exhibited during this unprecedented period. It is high time that we all need to be extra careful to keep the much anticipated third wave at bay.

With the limited information, the shortage of vaccines is a major point of concern now. The survey found that the rural areas had lower seropositivity compared to urban areas. Within rural areas, children had slightly lower seropositivity compared to adults. Seroprevalence in children was more among female participants with 59 per cent when compared to male participants with 53 per cent. “The higher seropositivity rate in children aged 10-17 years may be reflective of their higher mobility and independence compared to the younger children,” the study said.