TOPLINE:
Two doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine slashes COVID-19-related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits in kids aged 6 months to 4 years by 40%, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
METHODOLOGY:
SARS-CoV-2 infection can severely affect children who have certain chronic conditions.
Researchers assessed the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing emergency ED visits and hospitalizations associated with the illness from July 2022 to September 2023.
They drew data from the New Vaccine Surveillance Network, which conducts population-based, prospective surveillance for acute respiratory illness in children at seven pediatric medical centers.
The period assessed was the first year vaccines were authorized for children aged 6 months to 4 years; during that period, several Omicron subvariants arose.
Researchers used data from 7434 infants and children; data included patients' vaccine status and their test results for SARS-CoV-2.
TAKEAWAY:
Of the 7434 infants and children who had an acute respiratory illness and were hospitalized or visited the ED, 387 had COVID-19.
Children who received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were 40% less likely to have a COVID-19-associated hospitalization or ED visit compared to unvaccinated youth.
One dose of a COVID-19 vaccine reduced ED visits and hospitalizations by 31%.
