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COVID-19 and Kids Resource Hub

  • Our COVID-19 and Kids Resource Hub brings together the latest research and evidence-based resources on COVID-19 and kids.

    The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of children and families. Our Hub brings together the latest research and evidence-based resources on COVID-19 and children from the Centre for Community Child Health, The Royal Children's Hospital, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne. It compiles emerging evidence in a range of formats that examine the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19, and provide tips for keeping children and families mentally and physically healthy during and beyond the pandemic.

    Please note: data is constantly emerging about the effects of COVID-19. This page will be updated as new information becomes available.

    COVID-19 and Kids infographic

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    *Select the image to download the infographic.

    COVID-19 and kids

    What are the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 on children and the advice on vaccines? Find out here.

    WEBSITE
    		 COVID-19 resources
    Royal Children's Hospital    		 A collection of trusted resources on COVID-19, including information about the physical effects on children, mental health care and advice about supporting your child to cope through the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The resources are a mix of content created by experts from The Royal Children’s Hospital, trusted campus partners and other health organisations.
    REPORT
    		 COVID-19 and Children Surveillance Report
    Murdoch Children's Research Institute
    Updated weekly    		 A weekly summary documenting the latest COVID-19 surveillance data in children and adolescents, with a particular focus on Victoria and New South Wales.  
    WEBINAR 
    		Shifting the focus: the pandemic and children – two years on
    Centre for Community Child Health
    22 March 2022 and 11 April 2022
    		This webinar explored what we have learnt about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and strategies for supporting recovery, reducing inequity and optimising opportunities. A follow-up Q&A session was held on 11 April to discuss the topics and questions posed to the panel by webinar participants including potential actions for building back differently to ensure every child thrives. 
    JOURNAL ARTICLE 
    		Potential indirect impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on children: a narrative review using a community child health lens
    Medical Journal of Australia
    24 January 2022    		This CCCH-led narrative review summarises the research on the potential and established indirect impacts on children of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The paper uses a community child health lens to organise findings and to consider how Australia might best respond to the needs of children (aged 0–12 years).
    RESEARCH BRIEF 
    		The indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents
    Murdoch Children's Research Institute
    24 January 2022     		This research brief examines national and international research on the indirect effects the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents. The brief also explores the policy opportunities to mitigate longer-term and inequitable effects for the
    health and wellbeing of children and adolescents.
    ARTICLE 
    		 COVID-19 vaccination: pregnancy and breastfeeding
    Raising Children Network
    9 November 2021     		 An overview of the vaccination recommendations for pregnant and breastfeeding women in Australia. 
    ARTICLE 
    		 COVID-19 vaccination and teenagers
    Raising Children Network
    26 October 2021    		 An overview of the COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for teenagers in Australia including safety and effectiveness, side effects and ways to support teenagers with their vaccination.
    RESEARCH BRIEFS
    		 COVID-19 Research Briefs
    Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
    14 September 2021    		 Four in-depth briefs cover COVID-19 and child and adolescent health, vaccination for children and adolescents and associated resources.
    VIDEO
    		 Delta in Kids – what we do and don’t know
    Grand Rounds
    The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
    15 September 2021    		 A panel of paediatricians and researchers present on, and discuss, the Delta variant and how it’s influencing childhood infections and health outcomes.
    ARTICLE
    		 COVID-19 and children in Australia
    Raising Children Network
    14 September 2021    		 An overview of COVID-19 and its effects on children including symptoms, testing and vaccination.
    PODCAST
    		 Children and COVID-19 vaccines
    Kids Health Info
    The Royal Children’s Hospital
    9 August 2021    		 Paediatricians Dr Anthea Rhodes and Dr Margie Danchin cover a range of common questions and fears on COVID-19 vaccines in children.
    WEBSITE 
    		 COVID-19 vaccination in children
    Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC)
    Murdoch Children's Research Institute and SAFEVIC

    MVEC is an educational website providing up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccines and the Victorian vaccine rollout. MVEC is based at MCRI and is affiliated with SAEFVIC, the Victorian Vaccine Safety Service. The content is prepared by medical specialists and is reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
    REPORT 
    		 COVID-19 Weekly Vaccine Updates
    Melbourne Children's Campus
    Updated weekly

    		A weekly report on COVID-19 vaccines prepared by Professor Fiona Russell, Professor Kim Mulholland, Dr John Hart, Associate Professor Nigel Crawford, Professor Julie Bines and Associate Professor Margie Danchin, on behalf of the Melbourne Children’s Campus (The Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the University of Melbourne). 
    WEBSITE
    		 COVID-19 and adolescent health – helpful resources to consider
    Centre for Adolescent Health    		 A compilation of resources on COVID-19 and adolescent health.

    Supporting children

    This section of the Hub provides resources for children on COVID-19 and testing. Other resources explore how to support children's health, wellbeing and learning.

    JOURNAL ARTICLEAccessing hearing-health services for deaf and hard-of-hearing children during COVID-19
    Australian Journal of Social Issues 
    11 August 2022
    		This study aimed to describe hearing-health service use, especially use of telehealth, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in deaf/hard-of-hearing children. 
    PODCAST 
    		Getting back to school (face-to-face learning during COVID-19)
    Kids Health Info
    The Royal Children’s Hospital
    28 January 2022
    		RCH paediatricians Dr Lexi Frydenberg and Dr Margie Danchin discuss what’s being done to improve safety and prevent transmission in schools, and what surveillance testing with rapid antigen tests involves. They also chat about the benefits of kids going back to face-to-face learning and how families can manage some of the return-to-school nerves their children may be experiencing.
    FACT SHEET 
    		 Vaccination and needle phobia
    The Royal Children's Hospital
    Kids Health Info, 22 January 2022    		 This Kids Health Info fact sheet provides tips and strategies for supporting children who have a fear of needles and vaccinations.
    VIDEO 

    Supporting teens in the transition to life after lockdown
    The Royal Children's Hospital
    Facebook Live: 28 October 2021

    		This Facebook Live discussed strategies for supporting teenagers in their transition to life after the COVID-19 lockdowns. Hosted by Dr Anthea Rhodes (Paediatrician) with special guests A/Prof Tom Connell (Chief of Medicine at the RCH), Dr Michele Yeo (Paediatrician and Adolescent Medicine Physician), Dr Linda Kader (Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist), Dr Lisa Mundy, Team Leader, Adolescent Health, MCRI) and Dr Chelsea Hyde (Senior Lecturer, Melbourne Graduate School of Education).  
    ARTICLE 
    		 Face masks and COVID-19: supporting children 0-12 years
    Raising Children Network
    19 October 2021      		 An overview of the face mask requirements for children in Australian states and territories and tips for supporting children with wearing a mask (if required). 
    ARTICLE
    		 Face masks and COVID-19: supporting teenagers
    Raising Children Network
    19 October 2021     		 An overview of the face mask requirements for teenagers in Australian states and territories and tips for supporting teenagers with wearing a mask (if required).
    WEBINAR
    		 Supporting children in lockdown
    By Five, Wimmera Southern Mallee
    2 September 2021    		 Dr Claire Nogic, Dr Billy Garvey, Dr Tom Brunzell (Berry Street) and a panel of education and health specialists discuss the pressures and challenges of lockdown on families, and provide practical strategies for supporting children.
    HUB
    		 Supporting your child’s mental health
    The Royal Children’s Hospital
    25 August 2021    		 Resources including a Facebook live event hosted by RCH paediatrician Anthea Rhodes. The webinar provides tips for families on how to support children’s mental health throughout the pandemic and beyond.
    JOURNAL ARTICLE
    		 Clinical, financial and social impacts of COVID-19
    PLOS ONE
    12 September 2021    		 This study, led by the Centre for Community Child Health, explores how COVID-19 and lockdowns are affecting the mental health of mothers and children experiencing adversity.
    VIDEO
    		 A Child’s Guide: COVID-19
    The Royal Children’s Hospital    		 A video explainer on the COVID-19 virus for children.
    VIDEO
    		 COVID-19 test
    The Royal Children’s Hospital    		 A video demonstration on the COVID-19 test for children.
    PODCAST 
    		 Fear of needles. What helps?
    Kids Health Info
    The Royal Children's Hospital
    28 October 2021
    		In this podcast. hear from Sonja Elia, Immunisation Nurse Practitioner and head of the RCH Immunisation Drop-In Centre and Dr Amanda Stock, RCH Paediatrician and Emergency Physician about the strategies and techniques are available to children and families to manage anxiety about needles, and what help is available from health professionals.  

    Supporting families

    Practical resources to support parents and carers in looking after themselves and their children’s health and wellbeing.

    JOURNAL ARTICLEChild and caregiver mental health during 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic
    BMJ Paediatrics Open  
    2021    		This open access article describes the mental health experiences of Australian caregivers and children over 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    RESEARCH BRIEF 

    Which families are feeling the pinch of the pandemic the most?
    The University of Melbourne, the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the Brotherhood of St Laurence
    October 2021

    		 This Research Insight explores the levels of financial stress experienced by families with children as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    VIDEO
    		 Supporting primary school children in their return to onsite learning
    The Royal Children's Hospital
    Facebook Live: 14 October 2021
    		The Royal Children's Hospital hosted a Facebook Live featuring experts in health and learning to  discuss the logistics and anxieties for families and children returning to onsite learning, with practical advice on how to support children.
    GUIDE
    		 COVID-19: family guide
    Raisingchildren.net.au    		 This comprehensive guide includes evidence-based information on a range of COVID-19 topics and provides practical tips to help children and families cope through lockdowns.
    ARTICLE 
    		 COVID-19 and pregnancy
    Raising Children Network
    22 September 2021     		 An overview of COVID-19 and pregnancy including the risks to mother and baby, what to do if a pregnant mother contracts COVID-19 and vaccination in pregnancy recommendations.
    WEBINAR 
    		 In Pursuit of Health - Tips to help families cope during lockdown
    The University of Melbourne
    10 September 2021    		 A panel of experts share their views building resilience in children and families, and what to look for if a child isn’t coping. 
    PODCAST
    		 Effects of COVID-19 on children’s physical health
    Kids Health Info
    The Royal Children’s Hospital
    10 September 2021    		 A podcast of a Facebook webinar focusing on the physical effects of the COVID-19 virus on children including Delta, long COVID and vaccinations. Hosted by paediatrician Dr Anthea Rhodes.
    APP
    		 Raising Healthy Minds
    Raisingchildren.net.au     		Raising Healthy Minds is a free app that can be tailored to child and family interests. It answers questions about child wellbeing and shares practical tips for day-to-day family life.
    KNOWLEDGE HUB
    		 Kids, parents and carers
    Murdoch Children’s Research Institute    		 This knowledge hub provides parents and carers with access to factsheets, videos and podcasts on a range of topics such as understanding COVID-19, hand hygiene, balancing parenting, parent wellbeing and more.
    PODCAST
    		 Parenting in the age of coronavirus
    Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
    October 2020    		 In this podcast series, child health experts discuss the challenges parents are facing and explore how parents can best support themselves and their children.

    Supporting schools and early childhood education and care

    Access an online training program designed to support schools during COVID-19 and other resources that explore the importance, experiences and challenges of schooling and early education during COVID-19.

    REPORT 
    		The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children in Australian early childhood education and care
    Centre for Community Child Health
    January 2022    		The Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment engaged the Centre for Community Child Health to review the impacts of COVID-19 on children 0-5 years. The report covers detailed findings as well as the impact of disruptions to ECEC attendance. 
    RESEARCH BRIEF
    		 COVID-19 in Early Childhood Education and Care and Schools 
    Murdoch Children's Research Institute
    18 October 2021
    		This research brief explores the Australian and international evidence on COVID-19 transmission in schools and early years settings and considers mitigation strategies to opening these settings safely.
    ONLINE TRAINING
    		 Supporting schools in a time of COVID-19
    The University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
    November 2020    		 An online, professional learning opportunity for primary teachers and education staff developed to assist educators to support children’s mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19.
    PODCAST
    		 Teaching heroes with Prof Sharon Goldfeld
    Teaching Heroes
    15 September 2021    		 A Teaching Heroes podcast episode featuring Prof Sharon Goldfeld and Dr Joanna Winchester discussing how the pandemic is affecting children and families.
    PODCAST
    		 Einstein A Go-Go
    Triple R
    26 September 2021    		 This episode covers COVID-19 in children and why getting children back to school is so important. It features guests RCH Paediatrician Dr Margie Danchin, Prof Sharon Goldfeld, Director, Centre for Community Child Health, Assoc/Prof Robyn Schofield, University of Melbourne and Kate Dullard, Principal of Essendon Grammar school.

 

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

The Centre for Community Child Health is a department of The Royal Children’s Hospital and a research group of Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.