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School of Health Sciences

Corona Immunitas - Winterthur

A study on the seroprevalence of COVID-19 and health outcomes in adolescents and young adults

Baseline

With the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the world is experiencing a global threat and challenge. The Swiss School of Public Health+ has undertaken an unprecedented effort to coordinate public health research on SARS-CoV-2 across Switzerland. Corona Immunitas studies are identifying the spread of coronavirus in different regions of Switzerland, in specific population and workforce groups. The Winterthur study investigates young people aged 15-25 years receiving post-compulsory education.

Objective

Corona Immunitas studies address pressing questions such as whether immunity exists after infection and how long it lasts, as well as the impact of the pandemic on mental and physical health and on social and professional life. Corona Immunitas includes more than 40 studies in Switzerland that provide comparable, valid, and complementary evidence and data, providing an overview of the situation in Switzerland.

Method and procedure

Participants are randomly drawn from the specific population and invited to participate. All Corona Immunitas studies the same questionnaires and use the same antibody testing methods. The study has chosen an antibody test developed by the Centre Hospitalier de Vaude (CHUV), which is highly reliable. Participants are invited to participate in short digital questionnaires after the initial survey. Subsequent antibody tests are planned in all studies.

The Winterthur Corona Immunity Study in Adolescents and Young Adults

To fully understand the spread and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, all age groups need to be investigated. Therefore, in addition to Corona Immunitas studies targeting children, adults and elderly 65+, the Winterthur study targets adolescents and young adults. The frequency of COVID-19 antibody tests with positive results (positive seroprevalence) among adolescents and young adults was investigated from September 2020 to June 2021.Furthermore, the potential health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated in the context of post-compulsory education. By investigating high schools, vocational schools, vocational baccalaureate schools as well as universities of applied sciences, the study contributes to a better understanding of the role of educational institutions and the impact on education in the context of COVID-19 and to be able to adapt regulations and protective measures in a more targeted way.

Project partners

The Corona Immunitas study is coordinated by the Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+). The Corona Immunitas - Winterthur study is conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention at the University of Zurich.

Results

Participants received the results of their antibody test within a few weeks. All further analysis of the data and the antibody tests will be scientifically evaluated and published.

Project organization