Corona Immunitas: study protocol of a nationwide program of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and seroepidemiologic studies in Switzerland

Erin A. West, Daniela Anker, Rebecca Amati, Aude Richard, Ania Wisniak, Audrey Butty, Emiliano Albanese, Murielle Bochud, Arnaud Chiolero, Luca Crivelli, Stéphane Cullati, Valérie d’Acremont, Adina Mihaela Epure, Jan Fehr, Antoine Flahault, Luc Fornerod, Irène Frank, Anja Frei, Gisela Michel, Semira Gonseth, Idris Guessous, Medea Imboden, Christian R. Kahlert, Laurent Kaufmann, Philipp Kohler, Nicolai Mösli, Daniel Paris, Nicole Probst-Hensch, Nicolas Rodondi, Silvia Stringhini, Thomas Vermes, Fabian Vollrath and Milo A. Puhan ()
Additional contact information
Erin A. West: University of Zurich
Daniela Anker: University of Fribourg
Rebecca Amati: Università Della Svizzera Italiana
Aude Richard: Geneva University Hospitals
Ania Wisniak: Geneva University Hospitals
Audrey Butty: University of Lausanne
Emiliano Albanese: Università Della Svizzera Italiana
Murielle Bochud: University of Lausanne
Arnaud Chiolero: University of Fribourg
Stéphane Cullati: University of Fribourg
Valérie d’Acremont: University of Lausanne
Adina Mihaela Epure: University of Fribourg
Jan Fehr: University of Zurich
Antoine Flahault: University of Geneva
Luc Fornerod: Health Observatory of Valais
Irène Frank: Cantonal Hospital Luzern
Anja Frei: University of Zurich
Gisela Michel: University of Luzern
Semira Gonseth: University of Lausanne
Idris Guessous: Geneva University Hospitals
Medea Imboden: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
Christian R. Kahlert: Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen
Laurent Kaufmann: Service de La Santé Publique
Philipp Kohler: Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen
Nicolai Mösli: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
Daniel Paris: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
Nicole Probst-Hensch: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
Nicolas Rodondi: University of Bern
Silvia Stringhini: Geneva University Hospitals
Thomas Vermes: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
Fabian Vollrath: Swiss School of Public Health
Milo A. Puhan: University of Zurich

International Journal of Public Health, 2020, vol. 65, issue 9, No 6, 1529-1548

Abstract: Abstract Objectives Seroprevalence studies to assess the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population and subgroups are key for evaluating mitigation and vaccination policies and for understanding the spread of the disease both on the national level and for comparison with the international community. Methods Corona Immunitas is a research program of coordinated, population-based, seroprevalence studies implemented by Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+). Over 28,340 participants, randomly selected and age-stratified, with some regional specificities will be included. Additional studies in vulnerable and highly exposed subpopulations are also planned. The studies will assess population immunological status during the pandemic. Results Phase one (first wave of pandemic) estimates from Geneva showed a steady increase in seroprevalence up to 10.8% (95% CI 8.2–13.9, n = 775) by May 9, 2020. Since June, Zurich, Lausanne, Basel City/Land, Ticino, and Fribourg recruited a total of 5973 participants for phase two thus far. Conclusions Corona Immunitas will generate reliable, comparable, and high-quality serological and epidemiological data with extensive coverage of Switzerland and of several subpopulations, informing health policies and decision making in both economic and societal sectors. ISRCTN Registry: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN18181860 .

Keywords: Prevalence; Serosurvey; Longitudinal; SARS-CoV-2; Socioeconomic differences; Hygiene practices (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01494-0

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