More than half of children have antibodies in them, according to the fourth serosurvey
The increase in COVID-19 antibodies among Indians can be attributed to the exceptionally high number of COVID-19 cases in India during the second wave and the ongoing vaccination drive. Photo: Vikas Choudhary / CSE At least two-thirds of India’s population has developed antibodies against the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) by now. This is according to the fourth national serosurvey that was conducted in June-July 2021, after the massive second wave of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in India.
This is a significant increase as compared to the third national serosurvey in December 2020-January 2021 that pegged seroprevalence merely at 24.1 per cent. Such an increase can be attributed to the exceptionally high number of COVID-19 cases in India during the second wave and to some extent, the ongoing vaccination drive.
However, the survey also says that a significant chunk — approximately 400 million people — have no antibodies and are therefore susceptible to the viral infection.
The serosurvey was conducted in the same 70 districts of 21 states where three rounds were conducted earlier. As many as 28,975 people were enrolled, of which, 20 per cent were people of age 10-17 years.
The age disaggregation of the findings is important as it suggests that more than half the children of age 6-18 years, have antibodies by now. As many as 57.2 per cent children of age 6-9 years and 61.6 per cent children of age 10-17 years have already been infected once.
The highest seroprevalence — 77.6 per cent — has been found in people aged 45-60 years. They are followed by people above 60 years (76.7 per cent) and people of age 18-44 years (66.7 per cent). These three groups are being vaccinated currently.
The seroprevalence among vaccinated individuals is high as compared to those who are not vaccinated, the survey has found. Some 69.2 per cent of female participants showed antibodies, as compared to 65.8 per cent males. The urban population, with 69.6 per cent seroprevalence, has 3.1 per cent points more seroprevalence than the rural.
Healthcare workers (HCWs) showed a good 85.2 per cent seropositivity. However, 13.4 per cent of them have reported as not receiving one dose of the vaccine while 10.5 per have reported of not having taken a single dose. In other words, one-tenth of the HCWs are not vaccinated
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.