Prognosis
Very Few Kids Need to Shield From Covid, Large U.K. Study Finds
- Under 18s have a low risk of severe illness from the virus
- Findings may help inform vaccine and shielding policies
This article is for subscribers only.
Most young people face an “extremely low” risk of illness and death from Covid-19 and have no need to shield from the virus, according to researchers behind a large U.K. study.
The analysis, which its authors say is the most comprehensive on the topic to date, backs up clinical reports that show children and teens are less likely to be hospitalized or face severe effects from the virus. Covid-19 does increase the chance of serious illness in the most vulnerable children -- those with complex disabilities and severe existing medical conditions -- but even in those cases the risks are smaller compared with adults.