Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

November 3, 2020

Age-Specific Mortality and Immunity Patterns of SARS-CoV-2

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Using age-specific COVID-19 death data and seroprevalence studies, the age distribution of deaths among those <65 years old was consistent across 45 countries. The infection fatality ratio (IFR) was estimated to be the lowest among children aged 5-9 years old (0.001%) and increased with age. The highest IFR was observed among those 80+ (8.3%). Mortality varied more substantially between locations among people ≥65 than among younger groups. The authors further estimate that approximately 5% of the populations across 45 countries have been infected, with a potentially much higher transmission having occurred in Latin America.

O’Driscoll et al. (Nov 2, 2020). Age-Specific Mortality and Immunity Patterns of SARS-CoV-2. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2918-0