is a project that prioritizes women and children in the research on new coronavirus variants of concern.

 

Through a multidisciplinary global network, we want to improve the understanding of the epidemiology, transmission, disease progression and treatment of variants of SARS-CoV-2 among children and pregnant women, to inform public health strategies.

is a project that prioritizes women and children in the research on new coronavirus variants of concern.

 

Through a multidisciplinary global network, we want to improve the understanding of the epidemiology, transmission, disease progression and treatment of variants of SARS-CoV-2 among children and pregnant women, to inform public health strategies.

Why this project

There are several currently designated “variants of concern” identified since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2019. New variants will almost certainly continue to emerge, even as effective vaccines increase population immunity.

The potential impact of new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in pregnant women and children, including their role in transmission, and their disease severity and treatment, is not well understood, and there is a knowledge gap across these populations.

The VERDI response

The VERDI consortium will generate improved evidence on the epidemiology, outcomes, prevention and treatment of variants of SARS-CoV-2 amongst children and pregnant women as a global response to the pandemic, involving cohorts studies from diverse geographic and economic settings.

The evidence and insight arising from the multidisciplinary research will help to rapidly deliver recommendations on the best strategies to control viral spread and optimize clinical management and treatment of COVID-19 in children and pregnant women.

VERDI brings together a diverse range of cohort studies

including large scale national and regional level population-based cohort studies from the EU and beyond, providing a unique opportunity for harmonised analysis of data on variants of concern from a range of sources. 

Governance

The VERDI consortium consists of 28 centers of excellence in Europe, USA, Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia, coordinated by the University of Padua and Penta Foundation (Italy), with scientific coordination shared between University of Padua and University College London.

The Consortium works closely together with other COVID research projects to ensure complementarity to and alignment with the ongoing research efforts and infrastructures at EU level and beyond.