TÜSAD Issues Important Warnings on the COVID Pandemic

The Respiratory Society (TÜSAD) issued important warnings about protecting children from COVID-19 ahead of the upcoming school term.

Prof. Dr. Ayşe Tana Aslan, Chair of TÜSAD's Pediatric Respiratory Diseases Coordination Board, made the following comments on the matter:

"If children have no underlying chronic illness, we do not expect COVID-19 to pose a serious risk. However, transmission risk increases for elderly and ill individuals in the household." Aslan stressed the importance of vaccination for children aged 12 and above, particularly starting with those who have chronic illnesses.   The updated "Guide to Measures to Be Taken in Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic" emphasized that as the pandemic's impact has diminished due to widespread vaccination, measures should be applied at an individual level rather than as broad restrictions. Specialist physicians highlighted areas of concern. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Tana Aslan, Chair of the Pediatric Respiratory Diseases Coordination Board at Turkey's Respiratory Research Society (TÜSAD), stressed that despite the achievements made in combating the pandemic, precautions should not be overlooked. Evaluating the issue from both child health and elderly and chronically ill perspectives, Ayşe Tana Aslan once again emphasized the importance of vaccination.  

The real risk is the child transmitting the virus acquired at school or in other crowded settings to household members

Prof. Dr. Ayşe Tana Aslan, noting that children in crowded school environments face increased COVID transmission risk, stated: "The new variant we are currently facing is milder than previous variants and presents with upper respiratory symptoms. However, it can still cause fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle pain, fatigue and hoarseness in our children. If there is no underlying chronic illness, we do not expect COVID to be severe in children. However, if there is an underlying condition or immunosuppression, the disease may be severe. The real risk concerning children emerges when a child acquires the virus at school or in other crowded environments and transmits it to household members. The likelihood of elderly individuals, those with underlying diseases, and immunocompromised persons in the household becoming infected and experiencing severe infection symptoms increases."

Vaccinating children aged 12 and above for protection is important

Aslan, noting that protection from new variants spreading much more rapidly becomes difficult in crowded settings like schools, outlined the measures that can be taken as follows: "It is important to vaccinate and protect children aged 12 and above, particularly starting with those who have chronic illnesses. Likewise, precautions regarding mask, distance and hygiene conditions must be taken meticulously in crowded classrooms, school yards and other shared spaces."  

The risk of mpox infection in schools is much lower

Aslan, noting that families have concerns about increased mpox virus transmission with school openings, continued: "Cases of mpox virus infection have been reported in a small number of cases in our country. Close skin contact is required for transmission. The risk of mpox infection in schools is much lower. Maintaining distance and preventing close skin contact will again eliminate mpox virus transmission."