Abstract
BackgroundUp-to-date seroprevalence estimates are critical to describe the SARS-CoV-2 immune landscape and to guide public health decisions.AimWe estimate seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies 15 months into the COVID-19 pandemic and 6 months into the vaccination campaign.MethodsWe conducted a population-based cross-sectional serosurvey between 1 June and 7 July 2021, recruiting participants from age- and sex-stratified random samples of the general population. We tested participants for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies targeting the spike (S) or nucleocapsid (N) proteins using the Roche Elecsys immunoassays. We estimated the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies seroprevalence following vaccination and/or infection (anti-S antibodies), or infection only (anti-N antibodies).ResultsAmong 3,355 individuals (54.1% women; 20.8% aged < 18 years and 13.4% aged ≥ 65 years), 2,161 (64.4%) had anti-S antibodies and 906 (27.0%) had anti-N antibodies. The total seroprevalence was 66.1% (95% credible interval (CrI): 64.1–68.0). We estimated that 29.9% (95% Crl: 28.0–31.9) of the population developed antibodies after infection; the rest having developed antibodies via vaccination. Seroprevalence estimates differed markedly across age groups, being lowest among children aged 0–5 years (20.8%; 95% Crl: 15.5–26.7) and highest among older adults aged ≥ 75 years (93.1%; 95% Crl: 89.6–96.0). Seroprevalence of antibodies developed via infection and/or vaccination was higher among participants with higher educational level.ConclusionMost of the population has developed anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, despite most teenagers and children remaining vulnerable to infection. As the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant spreads and vaccination rates stagnate, efforts are needed to address vaccine hesitancy, particularly among younger individuals and to minimise spread among children.
Highlights
The Delta variant (Phylogenetic Assignment of Named Global Outbreak (Pango) lineage designation B.1.617.2) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) drives a surge in new infections worldwide [1]
43.2% reported having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose > 14 days before their blood draw, 64.4% of all participants tested positive for anti-S antibodies, and 27.0% tested positive for anti-N antibodies (Table 1)
We found that 29.9% of the population had antibodies following infection with SARS-CoV-2, three times more than the seroprevalence of 10.8% reported in April–June 2020 [7], and an 8.8% increase from the 21.1% seroprevalence reported in November–December, 2020 [5] (Supplementary Table S4)
Summary
The Delta variant (Phylogenetic Assignment of Named Global Outbreak (Pango) lineage designation B.1.617.2) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) drives a surge in new infections worldwide [1]. Up-todate seroprevalence estimates of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population remain scarce, Serosurvey. First Spikevaxa vaccine available in Geneva Regardless of age, people considered at high-risk for complications eligible. People aged 12–15 years eligible Apr May. Up-to-date seroprevalence estimates are critical to describe the SARS-CoV-2 immune landscape and to guide public health decisions. Aim: We estimate seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies 15 months into the COVID-19 pandemic and 6 months into the vaccination campaign. Seroprevalence of antibodies developed via infection and/or vaccination was higher among participants with higher educational level. Conclusion: Most of the population has developed anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, despite most teenagers and children remaining vulnerable to infection. As the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant spreads and vaccination rates stagnate, efforts are needed to address vaccine hesitancy, among younger individuals and to minimise spread among children
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