COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Effectiveness in the Youngest Children

In a U.S. surveillance study from July 2022–September 2023, vaccinated children aged 6 months–4 years had fewer ED visits and hospitalizations with COVID-19 than unvaccinated children.

SARS-CoV-2 infects children of all ages and can cause severe disease and even death. In 2022, mRNA vaccines (initially approved for adults, then for older children) were approved for children as young as 6 months. Still, recent CDC data showed that 63% of children aged 6 months–17 years and 90% of those aged 6 months–4 years remained unvaccinated. Perception of vaccine effectiveness may be a contributing factor to vaccine acceptance.

The New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN) enrolled children aged 6 months through 4 years who were seen for acute respiratory illness at seven U.S. pediatric centers from July 2022 through September 2023. In a test-negative case-control study, researchers compared children with and without COVID-19 and verifie…

Reviewing Author

Deborah Lehman, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Deborah Lehman, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Effectiveness in the Youngest Children

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Reviewing Author