Understanding how to keep schools safe during pandemics

Pandemic preparedness in schools: A community based approach for sentinel surveillance

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10884515

This study is looking at the best ways to keep kids safe from COVID-19 in schools while making sure they can still learn in person, by using information about infections and vaccinations to find a good balance between safety and education.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10884515 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how to effectively monitor and manage COVID-19 transmission in schools to ensure safe in-person learning for children. It aims to develop models that combine data on infections, vaccinations, and community health indicators to assess the risks and benefits of reopening schools. By analyzing the impact of school closures on children's education and development, the research seeks to find a balance between safety and educational needs. The approach includes community-based surveillance and collaboration with schools to gather relevant data.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include children aged 0-11 and school staff in New York City who are affected by COVID-19 policies.

Not a fit: Patients who are not involved in school settings or are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer school environments during pandemics, minimizing disruptions to children's education.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in using community surveillance models to manage infectious diseases, indicating potential for this approach.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.