Tackling COVID-19 for children and families

What's the child health challenge?

Children and adolescents account for one in five COVID-19 cases in Australia, but hospital admissions are uncommon.

Our researchers are working to unravel why children have mild or no symptoms and to determine any lasting effects in those who become ill.

Because of growing evidence that SARS-CoV-2 damages organs beyond lungs, we are collaborating to study causes and risk factors, change care to protect from severe complications, and develop targeted treatment.

What's the child health challenge?

Children and adolescents account for one in five COVID-19 cases in Australia, but hospital admissions are uncommon.

Our researchers are working to unravel why children have mild or no symptoms and to determine any...

What's the child health challenge?

Children and adolescents account for one in five COVID-19 cases in Australia, but hospital admissions are uncommon.

Our researchers are working to unravel why children have mild or no symptoms and to determine any lasting effects in those who become ill.

What's the discovery or innovation?

Our many COVID-19 research projects include:

Studying hospital admissions that found infected children are generally spared the worst effects, but the risk of long COVID remains uncertain.
Finding the virus triggers the ‘innate immune system’ (the first line of defence against germs that protect against the virus) in children, but not adults.
Investigating if the tuberculosis vaccine can enhance immune systems to protect against severe COVID; child-friendly testing methods; the psychological impact of lockdowns and reducing vaccine hesitancy.
Using stem cells to understand impacts on organs and develop better treatments.

How are these changing children’s lives?

Our work aims to make a difference for children today and future generations by mitigating the impact of coronavirus.

We are making profound contributions to COVID-19 knowledge and providing governments, health professionals, businesses, and families with evidence-based answers and tools to fight the pandemic.

This includes advice about immunisation and vaccine manufacture and contributed to access for 12-15-year-olds. We are also studying the effects of policy decisions, including lockdowns and school closures on young people.