What has Corona Immunitas accomplished?
Corona Immunitas studied the immunity of the Swiss population over several phases. The results were used by cantonal and national authorities as a basis for decision making in connection with the pandemic. With the data collected, Corona Immunitas serves as a compass in the pandemic: this was the case, for example, in dealing with school closures or vaccination monitoring for the attention of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). In addition, the data from Corona Immunitas forms the basis for several decisions taken by the authorities. Should the pandemic situation change substantially in the future, targeted new investigations can be initiated quickly.
What happens in the future?
It is important to mention that Corona Immunitas will not end completely, but only the centrally coordinated part will be concluding. Many sub-studies, as well as data collection in some study centers, will continue individually.
In addition, a so-called Fast Response Unit was founded. It consists of three study centers in Ticino, Vaud and Zurich. In the event of substantial changes in the pandemic situation, such as new virus variants or further developments in vaccination, the Fast Response Unit is ready to quickly ramp up the infrastructure again and launch the corresponding studies or surveys.
What is the Fast Response Unit (FRU)?
The Fast Response Unit consists of the three study centers Ticino, Vaud and Zurich. It will conduct two further serological test phases, the 5th and 6th, in 2022.
In March 2022, the 5th test phase has already started. Because a survey had only recently taken place in the canton of Vaud, phase 5 is limited to Ticino and Zurich. For each age group, 200 people* from a random sample of the Federal Statistical Office will be tested and invited to the subsequent shortened digital follow-up. This is expected to begin in May.
The 6th test phase is scheduled for early summer 2022**. In this phase, the focus will be on the development of the pandemic situation after extensive relaxations and a determination of the current situation.
Because regional disparities are decreasing due to vaccination and natural infections, it is not necessary to continue to conduct surveys in all 14 study sites.
What is meant by "The pandemic situation is currently more stable than it was a year ago"?
The pandemic has taught us in recent months that it is volatile and unpredictable. That is exactly what it has proven again. At the time the communication was sent out, the situation was still more stable than it was a year ago. While in the second pandemic wave in Switzerland a peak of the 7-day average of 8,000 cases per day was recorded, this was just over 4,000 cases by 19.11.2021 (source SRF). Now, however, the new infections reported daily have risen to an all-time high of over 20,000, which means that the 7-day average also rises. It currently stands at just over 25,000 cases per day (as of 11.01.2022, source SRF).
One important difference that can still be observed is that hospital admissions to intensive care units do not increase in proportion to the number of cases among those who are fully vaccinated (the NZZ has reported on this). How vaccination prevents severe disease progression is explained in this Science in a Minute video. Deaths related to COVID-19 are also currently below the level they were in the winter of 2020. However, it is not yet possible to make a final assessment of the evolution of hospitalizations and deaths, for which we will have to wait for the next 2-3 weeks. Corona Immunitas will continue to closely monitor the situation and the Fast Response Unit (more information below) would be ready to launch further investigations and surveys if needed.
Should I get a third shot?
The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and the Federal Commission for Vaccination (FCV) are available to answer questions about coronavirus vaccination. Please follow this link. There you will also find the contact information of the cantonal responsible offices. You can find out who is eligible for the booster vaccination here.
*There are 4x200 people, the age groups: 16-29; 30-44; 45-64 and 65+.
**The phase has been moved from late summer to early summer so that vaccinations can be better scheduled in the fall.
