Factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in unvaccinated children and young adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pediatric COVID-19 cases are often mild or asymptomatic, which has complicated estimations of disease burden using existing testing practices. We aimed to determine the age-specific population seropositivity and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among children and young adults during the pandemic in British Columbia (BC). METHODS: We conducted two cross-sectional serosurveys: phase 1 enrolled children and adults < 25 years between November 2020-May 2021 and phase 2 enrolled children < 10 years between June 2021-May 2022 in BC. Participants completed electronic surveys and self-collected finger-prick dried blood spot (DBS) samples. Samples were tested for immunoglobulin G antibodies against ancestral spike protein (S). Descriptive statistics from survey data were reported and two multivariable analyses were conducted to evaluate factors associated with seropositivity. RESULTS: A total of 2864 participants were enrolled, of which 95/2167 (4.4%) participants were S-seropositive in phase 1 across all ages, and 61/697 (8.8%) unvaccinated children aged under ten years were S-seropositive in phase 2. Overall, South Asian participants had a higher seropositivity than other ethnicities (13.5% vs. 5.2%). Of 156 seropositive participants in both phases, 120 had no prior positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Young infants and young adults had the highest reported seropositivity rates (7.0% and 7.2% respectively vs. 3.0-5.6% across other age groups). CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among unvaccinated children and young adults was low in May 2022, and South Asians were disproportionately infected. This work demonstrates the need for improved diagnostics and reporting strategies that account for age-specific differences in pandemic dynamics and acceptability of testing mechanisms.

Perceptions of COVID-19 Among Unvaccinated Hispanics.

Introduction: Despite the availability of an effective COVID-19 vaccine, uptake had been low in Midwestern Hispanic communities. A small qualitative study was undertaken to better understand perceptions of COVID-19 disease and prevention among unvaccinated Hispanic adults. Methods: Individual interviews were conducted, in Spanish, with adults (n = 20) who had not been vaccinated for COVID-19. Interview questions were guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior. Results: Participants (n = 20) were Hispanic adults (male = 5; female = 15). One overarching theme, lack of trust, emerged from the data. Perceived barriers to vaccination included emotions, personal values and myths. Recommendations by trusted health providers and willingness to receive education emerged as facilitators to COVID vaccine uptake. Conclusion: Members of the Kansas City Chapter of National Association of Hispanic Nurses used findings from this study to tailor strategies to enhance vaccine confidence in their local community. The chapter partnered with the local health department and Hispanic-serving organizations to provide COVID-19 education and vaccine access.