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

Publication

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

Journal Paper/Review - Oct 24, 2020

West Erin A, Michel Gisela, Gonseth Semira, Guessous Idris, Imboden Medea, Kahlert Christian, Kaufmann Laurent, Kohler Philipp, Mösli Nicolai, Paris Daniel, Probst-Hensch Nicole, Rodondi Nicolas, Stringhini Silvia, Vermes Thomas, Vollrath Fabian, Puhan Milo A, Frei Anja, Frank Irène, Anker Daniela, Amati Rebecca, Richard Aude, Wisniak Ania, Butty Audrey, Albanese Emiliano, Bochud Murielle, Chiolero Arnaud, Crivelli Luca, Cullati Stéphane, d'Acremont Valérie, Epure Adina Mihaela, Fehr Jan, Flahault Antoine, Fornerod Luc, Corona Immunitas Research Group

Citation

West E, Michel G, Gonseth S, Guessous I, Imboden M, Kahlert C, Kaufmann L, Kohler P, Mösli N, Paris D, Probst-Hensch N, Rodondi N, Stringhini S, Vermes T, Vollrath F, Puhan M, Frei A, Frank I, Anker D, Amati R, Richard A, Wisniak A, Butty A, Albanese E, Bochud M, Chiolero A, Crivelli L, Cullati S, d'Acremont V, Epure A, Fehr J, Flahault A, Fornerod L, Corona Immunitas Research Group. Corona Immunitas: study protocol of a nationwide program of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and seroepidemiologic studies in Switzerland. Int J Public Health 2020

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Int J Public Health 2020

Publication Date

Oct 24, 2020

Issn Electronic

1661-8564

Brief description/objective

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 .