Babies Produce Stronger Immune Response to COVID Than Adults

In a finding that could influence future COVID vaccine recommendations for the youngest Americans, new research finds that infants and toddlers have a stronger immune response to the new coronavirus than adults do.

To arrive at that conclusion, scientists analyzed blood samples collected from 682 unvaccinated children and adults up to age 62, in 175 Maryland households between November 2020 and March 2021.

Of those people, 56 had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, indicating prior infection. They included 15 children ages 3 months to 4 years, 13 children ages 5 to 17, and 28 adults 18 and older.

Antibodies to a key spot on the virus’s outer spike protein were more than 13 times higher in children ages 4 and under and nearly nine times higher in children ages 5-17, when compared to adults.

RELATED: Antibodies From COVID Infection Shield Kids for Up to 7 Months

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The researchers also found that levels of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, which may help predict protection against severe COVID, were nearly twice as high in children ages 4 and younger than in adults.

In most households where both children and adults had antibody evidence of prior infection, children ages 4 and under had the highest levels of both types of antibodies of all infected members of the household, according to the study, published online March 22 in the journal JCI Insight.

“This study demonstrates that even children in the first few years of life have the capacity to develop strong antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection, which in some cases exceed adult responses,” says lead investigator Dr. Ruth Karron, director of the Johns Hopkins Vaccine Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

“These findings should provide some reassurance that with the appropriate vaccine doses, we can effectively

immunize very young children against SARS-CoV-2,” Karron added in a Hopkins news release.

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Children ages 5 to 17 are now eligible for the Pfizer COVID vaccine, while studies of the vaccine in younger children are ongoing.

RELATED: Moderna Will Ask FDA to Approve COVID Vaccine for Children Under 6

Talking to children about COVID-19

In order to filter the news, your child may be hearing about COVID, whether it is true or false, it is important to talk to your child in a way that they are able to understand.

These tips can help from healthychildren.org can help:

• Simple reassurance. Remind children that researchers and doctors have been closely following the virus throughout the pandemic and their recommendations on vaccines, boosters, masks and other safety steps will help keep them and everyone else safe.
• Give them control. It’s also a great time to remind your children of what they can do to help.
• Monitor their media. For older children, talk together about what they are hearing on the news and correct any misinformation or rumors you may hear by going to reputable sources for information—including your pediatrician! Keep young children away from frightening images they may see on TV, social media, and other sources.
• Watch for signs of anxiety. Children may not have the words to express their worry, but you may see signs of it. They may get cranky, be more clingy, have trouble sleeping, or seem distracted. Keep the reassurance going and try to stick to your normal routines.
• Be a good role model. COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate, and neither should we. When you show empathy and support to those who are ill, your children will too.