Children produce fewer ‘aerosol’ droplets that spread Covid than adults, study finds
German study comes as country considers giving vaccine to all children aged 12 and over
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Children of primary school age pose less risk of spreading coronavirus than adults, new research on transmission suggests.
A German study found that children up to the age of ten produce fewer of the “aerosol” droplets that can transmit Covid-19 than adults.
Aerosols – the small droplets which are emitted when we breathe – are the second most common way for the coronavirus to spread, after the large droplets which come from coughing or sneezing.
“Children of primary age emit the same volume of particles when they speak as adults do when they breathe,” Prof Dirk Mürbe, the study’s leader told Germany’s DPA news agency.
Prof Mürbe claimed the findings should allow Germany’s public health officials to “assess the infection risk better” when considering rules for primary schools.
The study by Berlin Technical University and the Charite teaching hospital examined aerosol droplets emitted by children between the ages of eight and 10 from leading children’s choirs in Berlin.
“The low volume of aerosols and the availability of testing means we can assess the infection risk better and establish the right conditions both in the classroom and for extracurricular activities,” said Prof Mürbe.
Schools across Germany reopened in February, but many parts of the country have maintained smaller class sizes, and insist on social distancing when it comes to extracurricular activities like choir singing.
Germany plans to make enough Covid vaccine doses available to offer a first dose to all children aged 12 and over by the end of August, a draft health ministry document showed before a vaccination summit on Thursday.
After a sluggish start to its vaccination rollout, Germany has increased the pace of inoculations and imposed nationwide lockdown measures which are now being lifted.
With more than 40 per cent of the population of around 83 million having received at least one dose, attention has turned to the question of extending vaccinations to adolescents.
Chancellor Angela Merkel will later on Thursday discuss the question with the premiers of Germany’s 16 federal states. And the European Medicines Agency could endorse the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 on Friday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments