A Look at DESE's Cited Sources: Footnote #50 - On the relative role of different age groups in influenza epidemics

DESE Claim: "Whereas for COVID-19 it appears children are less likely to be infected with and to transmit COVID-19, this is not the case for influenza, where children are frequent transmitters."

Cited Source: Worby, C. J., Chaves, S. S., Wallinga, J., Lipsitch, M., Finelli, L., & Goldstein, E. (2015). On the relative role of different age groups in influenza epidemics. Epidemics, 13, 10-16. Available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755436515000511

Peer Reviewed?: Yes

Study Methodology: Mathematical modeling and simulation

Notes: This is a 2015 (pre-COVID-19) article. It looks at which age groups are most important in the spread of influenza. Children were more likely to spread the flu. The study had "consistent evidence for a leading role of school age children in propagating the major influenza A epidemics."

Supports DESE Claim?: Partial (influenza part of the claim only)