Refining pandemic strategies for schools: Multiscale modeling of their societal & public health impact [RE-PASS]

Schools are hotspots for transmission of newly emerging respiratory pathogens and are among the primary targets for pandemic measures. The decision on school interventions, such as closures, has been contentious due to their threat to children’s learning and an unclear impact on transmission. The REPASS project aims to develop a novel interdisciplinary modeling approach to improve school interventions for pandemic response through a joint evaluation of their epidemiological impact (infections averted in children and the broader community) and their societal impact on children's learning outcomes. We will build a mathematical model to simulate transmission across multiple scales (classroom, school, and school-household network) and respiratory pathogen scenarios. Collaborating with stakeholders, we will co-create a portfolio of school interventions, test them in simulations, and design exercises that policymakers can use to make informed decisions and prepare for future pandemics.

Funded by: ZonMW

Duration: 1 September 2024 – 30 June 2026