The clinical impact of the new
SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1·1.7 on children
and young people (aged 18 years or
younger) regarding acute respiratory
COVID-19 is yet to be fully defined.
Media reports of increases in admissions
to hospital and more serious illness in
children and young people have resulted
in public confusion and implicated the
B.1.1.7 variant as a more pathogenic
infection within this group. This
uncertainty has necessitated a public
statement from the Royal College of
Paediatrics and Child Health.