Nearly all secondary school-age children have Covid-19 antibodies, according to data from the School Infection Survey. The data released today also shows that the proportion of parents with primary-school aged children who are “unlikely” to vaccinate their child has risen.
The survey found an estimated 99% of secondary pupils and 82% of primary pupils tested positive for Covid antibodies between March 3 and 22 this year. This is significantly higher than the previous round of tests in February, when 97% and 62% of secondary and primary pupils respectively tested positive for the antibodies. The study also found that 78% of children aged between four and seven tested positive for antibodies.
Dr Patrick Nguipdop-Djomo, co-chief investigator of the study, said: “There has been a small increase in secondary school students testing positive for Covid-19 antibodies, around 99% compared to 97% in the second round of testing in January and February 2022. This rise in antibody prevalence was larger in primary school students, increasing from 62% in the last round of testing to 82% in this round. It is not surprising that we are seeing this increase in antibody prevalence in primary schools, given it is consistent with the high rates of children infected with the Omicron variant during the spring term.”
