In a test-negative, case-control study conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 during Omicron variant predominance that included 121?952 tests from sites across the US, estimated vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection for children 5 to 11 years of age was 60.1% 2 to 4 weeks after dose 2 and 28.9% during month 2 after dose 2. Among adolescents 12 to 15 years of age, estimated vaccine effectiveness was 59.5% 2 to 4 weeks after dose 2 and 16.6% during month 2; estimated booster dose effectiveness in adolescents 2 to 6.5 weeks after the booster was 71.1%.

The risks of infection and hospitalization were elevated for unvaccinated vs vaccinated children aged 5 to 11 and 12 to 17 years, although the risk declined as Omicron became more prevalent. Protection declined with time since vaccination. These results complement recent findings of reduced vaccine effectiveness for adolescents against the Delta variant and the dual effects of the variant and waning protection against infection, with sustained protection against hospitalizations.

We analyzed SARS-CoV-2 variant recognition, dynamics of memory B cells and secreted antibody over time after infection, vaccination, and boosting. We find that a two-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination regimen given after natural infection generated greater longitudinal antibody stability and induced maximal antibody magnitudes with enhanced breadth across Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron variants. A homologous 3rd mRNA vaccine dose in COVID-naïve individuals conferred greater cross-variant evenness of neutralization potency with stability that was equal to the hybrid immunity conferred by infection plus vaccination.

Compared to the general population, nominally significant associations were noted for higher genetically predicted vitamin B-6 (Odds ratio per standard deviation [OR SD]: 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00, 1.13; p-value = 0.036) and lower magnesium concentrations (OR SD: 0.33; 95%CI: 0.11, 0.96; P = 0.042) with COVID-19 infection risk.

To detect new and changing SARS-CoV-2 variants, we investigated candidate Delta-Omicron recombinant genomes from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention national genomic surveillance. Laboratory and bioinformatic investigations identified and validated 9 genetically related SARS-CoV-2 viruses with a hybrid Delta-Omicron spike protein.

We compare the two syndromes using a computational toolbox of two gene signatures that were developed in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection, i.e., the viral pandemic (ViP) and severe-ViP signatures and a 13-transcript signature previously demonstrated to be diagnostic for KD, and validated our findings in whole blood RNA sequences, serum cytokines, and formalin fixed heart tissues. Results show that KD and MIS-C are on the same continuum of the host immune response as COVID-19. Both the pediatric syndromes converge upon an IL15/IL15RA-centric cytokine storm, suggestive of shared proximal pathways of immunopathogenesis

SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron are globally relevant variants of concern (VOCs). While individuals infected with Delta are at risk to develop severe lung disease, infection with Omicron often causes milder symptoms, especially in vaccinated individuals1,2. The question arises whether widespread Omicron infections could lead to future cross-variant protection, accelerating the end of the pandemic. Here we show that without vaccination, infection with Omicron induces a limited humoral immune response in mice and humans.

The Omicron variant is highly transmissible, particularly in high-density social settings.5,6 Based on analysis of routinely collected population surveillance data, Cornell’s experience shows that traditional public health interventions were not a match for Omicron. While vaccination protected against severe illness, it was not sufficient to prevent rapid spread, even when combined with other public health measures including widespread surveillance testing.

Despite the finding of widespread infection, the age-specific patterns caution against the notion that the omicron BA.1/1.1 variant will immunize everyone. In contrast to younger adults, persons 60 years of age or older face the highest rates of hospitalization and death but have the lowest rates of combined infection and vaccination. Strategies to build an immunity wall will continue to depend on high coverage levels of vaccination.

In a test-negative, case-control study conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 during Omicron variant predominance that included 121?952 tests from sites across the US, estimated vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection for children 5 to 11 years of age was 60.1% 2 to 4 weeks after dose 2 and 28.9% during month 2 after dose 2. Among adolescents 12 to 15 years of age, estimated vaccine effectiveness was 59.5% 2 to 4 weeks after dose 2 and 16.6% during month 2; estimated booster dose effectiveness in adolescents 2 to 6.5 weeks after the booster was 71.1%.

The risks of infection and hospitalization were elevated for unvaccinated vs vaccinated children aged 5 to 11 and 12 to 17 years, although the risk declined as Omicron became more prevalent. Protection declined with time since vaccination. These results complement recent findings of reduced vaccine effectiveness for adolescents against the Delta variant and the dual effects of the variant and waning protection against infection, with sustained protection against hospitalizations.

We analyzed SARS-CoV-2 variant recognition, dynamics of memory B cells and secreted antibody over time after infection, vaccination, and boosting. We find that a two-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination regimen given after natural infection generated greater longitudinal antibody stability and induced maximal antibody magnitudes with enhanced breadth across Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron variants. A homologous 3rd mRNA vaccine dose in COVID-naïve individuals conferred greater cross-variant evenness of neutralization potency with stability that was equal to the hybrid immunity conferred by infection plus vaccination.

Compared to the general population, nominally significant associations were noted for higher genetically predicted vitamin B-6 (Odds ratio per standard deviation [OR SD]: 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00, 1.13; p-value = 0.036) and lower magnesium concentrations (OR SD: 0.33; 95%CI: 0.11, 0.96; P = 0.042) with COVID-19 infection risk.

To detect new and changing SARS-CoV-2 variants, we investigated candidate Delta-Omicron recombinant genomes from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention national genomic surveillance. Laboratory and bioinformatic investigations identified and validated 9 genetically related SARS-CoV-2 viruses with a hybrid Delta-Omicron spike protein.

We compare the two syndromes using a computational toolbox of two gene signatures that were developed in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection, i.e., the viral pandemic (ViP) and severe-ViP signatures and a 13-transcript signature previously demonstrated to be diagnostic for KD, and validated our findings in whole blood RNA sequences, serum cytokines, and formalin fixed heart tissues. Results show that KD and MIS-C are on the same continuum of the host immune response as COVID-19. Both the pediatric syndromes converge upon an IL15/IL15RA-centric cytokine storm, suggestive of shared proximal pathways of immunopathogenesis

SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron are globally relevant variants of concern (VOCs). While individuals infected with Delta are at risk to develop severe lung disease, infection with Omicron often causes milder symptoms, especially in vaccinated individuals1,2. The question arises whether widespread Omicron infections could lead to future cross-variant protection, accelerating the end of the pandemic. Here we show that without vaccination, infection with Omicron induces a limited humoral immune response in mice and humans.

The Omicron variant is highly transmissible, particularly in high-density social settings.5,6 Based on analysis of routinely collected population surveillance data, Cornell’s experience shows that traditional public health interventions were not a match for Omicron. While vaccination protected against severe illness, it was not sufficient to prevent rapid spread, even when combined with other public health measures including widespread surveillance testing.

Despite the finding of widespread infection, the age-specific patterns caution against the notion that the omicron BA.1/1.1 variant will immunize everyone. In contrast to younger adults, persons 60 years of age or older face the highest rates of hospitalization and death but have the lowest rates of combined infection and vaccination. Strategies to build an immunity wall will continue to depend on high coverage levels of vaccination.

In a test-negative, case-control study conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 during Omicron variant predominance that included 121?952 tests from sites across the US, estimated vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection for children 5 to 11 years of age was 60.1% 2 to 4 weeks after dose 2 and 28.9% during month 2 after dose 2. Among adolescents 12 to 15 years of age, estimated vaccine effectiveness was 59.5% 2 to 4 weeks after dose 2 and 16.6% during month 2; estimated booster dose effectiveness in adolescents 2 to 6.5 weeks after the booster was 71.1%.

The risks of infection and hospitalization were elevated for unvaccinated vs vaccinated children aged 5 to 11 and 12 to 17 years, although the risk declined as Omicron became more prevalent. Protection declined with time since vaccination. These results complement recent findings of reduced vaccine effectiveness for adolescents against the Delta variant and the dual effects of the variant and waning protection against infection, with sustained protection against hospitalizations.

We analyzed SARS-CoV-2 variant recognition, dynamics of memory B cells and secreted antibody over time after infection, vaccination, and boosting. We find that a two-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination regimen given after natural infection generated greater longitudinal antibody stability and induced maximal antibody magnitudes with enhanced breadth across Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron variants. A homologous 3rd mRNA vaccine dose in COVID-naïve individuals conferred greater cross-variant evenness of neutralization potency with stability that was equal to the hybrid immunity conferred by infection plus vaccination.

Compared to the general population, nominally significant associations were noted for higher genetically predicted vitamin B-6 (Odds ratio per standard deviation [OR SD]: 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00, 1.13; p-value = 0.036) and lower magnesium concentrations (OR SD: 0.33; 95%CI: 0.11, 0.96; P = 0.042) with COVID-19 infection risk.

To detect new and changing SARS-CoV-2 variants, we investigated candidate Delta-Omicron recombinant genomes from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention national genomic surveillance. Laboratory and bioinformatic investigations identified and validated 9 genetically related SARS-CoV-2 viruses with a hybrid Delta-Omicron spike protein.

We compare the two syndromes using a computational toolbox of two gene signatures that were developed in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection, i.e., the viral pandemic (ViP) and severe-ViP signatures and a 13-transcript signature previously demonstrated to be diagnostic for KD, and validated our findings in whole blood RNA sequences, serum cytokines, and formalin fixed heart tissues. Results show that KD and MIS-C are on the same continuum of the host immune response as COVID-19. Both the pediatric syndromes converge upon an IL15/IL15RA-centric cytokine storm, suggestive of shared proximal pathways of immunopathogenesis

SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron are globally relevant variants of concern (VOCs). While individuals infected with Delta are at risk to develop severe lung disease, infection with Omicron often causes milder symptoms, especially in vaccinated individuals1,2. The question arises whether widespread Omicron infections could lead to future cross-variant protection, accelerating the end of the pandemic. Here we show that without vaccination, infection with Omicron induces a limited humoral immune response in mice and humans.

The Omicron variant is highly transmissible, particularly in high-density social settings.5,6 Based on analysis of routinely collected population surveillance data, Cornell’s experience shows that traditional public health interventions were not a match for Omicron. While vaccination protected against severe illness, it was not sufficient to prevent rapid spread, even when combined with other public health measures including widespread surveillance testing.

Despite the finding of widespread infection, the age-specific patterns caution against the notion that the omicron BA.1/1.1 variant will immunize everyone. In contrast to younger adults, persons 60 years of age or older face the highest rates of hospitalization and death but have the lowest rates of combined infection and vaccination. Strategies to build an immunity wall will continue to depend on high coverage levels of vaccination.