On this page you’ll find information on research projects. We also provide literature searches with compilations of scientific articles and further links.
Research projects
As part of tackling the pandemic, the FOPH is co-funding numerous research projects investigating the coronavirus and its consequences. You can find a list of completed and some ongoing studies on this page. The reports are shown directly on this page or a link is provided.
Corona Immunitas
Investigating immunity to the coronavirus among the population by analysing blood for the presence of antibodies (seroprevalence) was an important element in understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic developed. These activities permitted evaluations to be made of the percentage of the population that had immunity to the coronavirus as a result of previous infection, vaccination or both.
Further insights into the spread and the impact of the coronavirus were provided by a nationwide long-term monitoring programme which ran from April 2020 to August 2023. The programme was conducted as part of Corona Immunitas, a national science programme of the Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+).
Programme objectives
The programme’s objectives were:
- to determine the spread of the coronavirus in Switzerland’s various regions and within specific population and occupational groups;
- to evaluate whether and to what extent measures taken to combat the spread of the coronavirus were effective;
- to assess whether a previous infection protected people from re-infection and, if so, how long such protection lasts.
Regular surveys are also conducted to gain additional insights into the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection (including long-term effects) and vaccination.
Programme participation, scope and duration
Fourteen universities and other institutions from all over Switzerland participate in the Corona Immunitas programme. Some 40 studies involving 50,000 Swiss residents were conducted. In summer 2021 it was decided that research into immunity in the population would no longer be conducted at all the programme’s locations, after which the development of seroprevalence over time was studied at just one location in each language region: Vaud, Ticino and Zurich. The programme was concluded at the end of August 2023.
The FOPH contributed to the programme in both content and financial terms. And the programme’s findings provided an important basis to help federal and cantonal policymakers determine the next steps in combating the coronavirus epidemic.
Studies on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants
To assess the pandemic situation, it is important to know how many people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 and what factors facilitate the spread of the virus. Information on possible transmission routes, sources of infection and new virus variants is therefore vital. These research questions are investigated in the following studies.
Studies on the immune status of the population and selected groups
Immunity against the coronavirus is investigated by testing blood for the presence of antibodies (seroprevalence). This makes it possible to assess what proportion of the population has immunity against the coronavirus as a result of infection, vaccination or both. This in turn provides important insights on the spread and impact of the coronavirus. The following studies analyse the immunity of the population and various groups.
Studies on the state of health of the population and selected groups
The coronavirus pandemic has had both direct and indirect effects on the health and lives of the Swiss population. Firstly, people's health was directly affected by COVID-19. Secondly, the measures to contain the coronavirus had an impact on psychological well-being. The impact of the pandemic on the population's mental and physical health are investigated in the following projects.
Studies on post-COVID-19 disease (long COVID)
Post-COVID-19 condition is a potential long-term secondary condition following a coronavirus infection. There is still little known about its causes or prevention and treatment. The following studies tackle research questions on the long-term consequences of COVID-19 or investigate this as one aspect of their research question.
Studies on the use of vaccination to tackle the pandemic
Various vaccines are in use to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. Immunisation by vaccination increases the protection of the population against the coronavirus and reduces the risk of serious illness. The studies below investigate the effect of vaccination and people's attitude towards vaccination.
Studies on healthcare provision
The coronavirus pandemic had a significant impact on the entire healthcare system. Many inpatient interventions were postponed, but the use of medical services also changed. The following studies record the changes in healthcare due to the pandemic.
Evaluation studies, situation analyses and impact assessments
You can find various situation analyses, impact assessments and lessons learnt of the COVID-19 pandemic in this section.
Studies
Impact assessment of COVID-19 information campaign: you will find the corresponding population surveys on the German language page.
Literature searches
Many scientific publications are appearing in connection with the coronavirus. We provide you with documents on selected topics containing compilations of scientific articles and summaries of the key insights.
Check for new literature references from time to time. The documents are prepared by members of the Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+) on behalf of the FOPH. The SSPH+ foundation bundles the academic public health expertise of 12 Swiss universities.
COVID-19 vaccines
In these documents you will find a compilation of scientific articles on COVID-19 vaccines that have already been authorised in Switzerland. This material encompasses information on vaccine protection, immunity and side-effects. The reports describe the criteria used to select the articles.
In addition, the Excel spreadsheets contain detailed information on the vaccines listed by individual article. This enables the most important figures in an article to be seen at a glance. The Excel spreadsheet is a working document which will be useful mainly for experts concerned with vaccines.
Reports published before May 2022 summarise the findings of the articles and contain additional information about vaccines authorised outside Switzerland.
Monitoring COVID-19 immunity
This report is a compilation of scientific articles on immunity to COVID-19 following vaccination and/or infection. It focuses on the extent and duration of protection and how these two factors change over time. The emphasis is placed on individuals at particular risk.
Long-term effects of COVID-19
In these documents you will find a compilation of scientific articles on long-term effects of COVID-19, from the basics to the social and economic consequences.
Impact of COVID-19 on children, adolescents and young adults
In these documents you will find a compilation of scientific articles on the impact on COVID-19 on children, adolescents and young adults. This encompasses information on the impact of the pandemic both on everyday activities and on the physical and mental health of people in these groups.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorders
This report summarises the latest findings on the impact of the pandemic and pandemic-related measures on eating disorders. It focuses on the influence of the crisis on the frequency with which eating disorders occur, their symptoms and the demand for treatment.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the addictive behaviour of the population and the care of people with substance use disorders
This report summarises the current research findings on the impact of the pandemic and of pandemic-related measures on the addictive behaviour of Switzerland’s population. It focuses on the issue of how the care and overall social situations of people with substance use disorders have changed during the course of the pandemic.
Impact of COVID-19 on disadvantaged population groups
This report summarises the latest findings on the impact of COVID-19 on disadvantaged population groups such as migrants, foreign nationals and people working in the healthcare sector.
Impact and efficacy of border health measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic
This report summarises the latest findings on the impact and the efficacy of border health measures in international travel which have been taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, such as border closures, flight bans and travel quarantine provisions.
Efficacy of non-pharmaceutical interventions
In this document you will find a compilation of scientific articles on the efficacy of non-pharmaceutical interventions.
Wastewater-based surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in various countries
In this document you will find an overview of how a selection of countries are monitoring the spread of SARS-CoV-2 by analysing wastewater.
Significance of aerosols in the transmission of Sars-CoV-2
In this document you will find a summary of scientific articles on the transmission of Sars-CoV-2 via droplets and aerosols, with a particular emphasis on the role of aerosols in transmission.
Epidemiology of Sars-CoV-2 among children and adolescents
This compilation contains scientific articles on the transmission and spread of the novel coronavirus among children and adolescents.
Vaccination programme in Israel
In these documents you will find a compilation of the scientific literature on the vaccination programme in Israel, with information on the vaccination strategy in that country and the efficacy and safety of the vaccines.
Data analyses with direct research participation by the FOPH
In addition to co-financing certain studies and research activities, the FOPH has also occasionally collaborated with researchers to analyse and evaluate certain data sets. The resulting papers have been published in various scientific journals. An overview of the published articles can be found here:
Last modification 17.01.2024
Contact
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