The ABC Science Collaborative and RADx-UP have published a special supplement to the research journal Pediatrics focused on lessons learned while navigating the K-12 school environment during the pandemic.
The publication supplement, “Navigating a Pandemic in the K-12 Setting, Part 2: COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination,” represents a collaborative effort between Pediatrics, The ABC Science Collaborative, and the RADx-UP Coordination and Data Collection Center. The Duke Clinical Research Institute serves as a coordination center lead institution for RADx-UP, and also coordinates the ABC Science Collaborative together with the Duke School of Medicine.
“This body of work is a collective effort by researchers across the country to share the lessons they have observed about COVID-19 testing and vaccination in K-12 schools so we can better understand and implement effective strategies to keep underserved students and communities healthy,” said Emily D’Agostino, DrPH, MS, MEd, MA, who serves as the chair of the RADx-UP Publications and Dissemination Committee.
The research highlights a collective effort of 109 authors, including eight community members, across 16 RADx-UP Safe Return to School Diagnostic Testing Initiative institutions. It is focused on learnings about COVID-19 testing, prevention strategies, and other effects of the pandemic in school settings.
“The insights from this research will help healthcare providers, policymakers, and school leaders to be better prepared in the event of a future pandemic and will allow schools to remain open for in-person education without increasing viral spread,” said Kanecia Zimmerman, MD, PhD, MPH, co-chair of The ABC Science Collaborative and DCRI faculty member.