Third wave may not have bigger impact on children: AIIMS-WHO study

A new study by All Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the World Health Organization has revealed that a possible third Covid-19 wave is unlikely to “disproportionately” affect children who are aged two years or older.

Concerns have been raised in India over the probable third wave where children and young age groups were thought to get affected the most. The study was conducted to compare the Covid-19 sero-positivity rate between children and adults.

The study found that the SARS-CoV-2 sero-positivity rate among children was high and comparable to the adult population. “Hence, it is unlikely that any future third wave by prevailing Covid-19 variant would disproportionately affect children two years or older,” it said.


The experts collected data from March 15, 2021 to June 10, 2021. Out of 4,509 participants for whom data was available, 700 were younger than 18 years and 3,809 were 18 or older.