Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2023

Identifier

DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7248a2; PMCID: PMC10718202

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 infection in young children is often mild or asymptomatic; however, some children are at risk for severe disease. Data describing the protective effectiveness of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines against COVID-19-associated emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalization in this population are limited. Data from the New Vaccine Surveillance Network, a prospective population-based surveillance system, were used to estimate vaccine effectiveness using a test-negative, case-control design and describe the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in infants and children aged 6 months-4 years during July 1, 2022-September 30, 2023. Among 7,434 children included, 5% received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result, and 95% received a negative test result; 86% were unvaccinated, 4% had received 1 dose of any vaccine product, and 10% had received ≥2 doses. When compared with receipt of no vaccines among children, receipt of ≥2 COVID-19 mRNA vaccine doses was 40% effective (95% CI = 8%-60%) in preventing ED visits and hospitalization. These findings support existing recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination of young children to reduce COVID-19-associated ED visits and hospitalization.

Journal Title

MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report

Volume

72

Issue

48

First Page

1300

Last Page

1306

MeSH Keywords

Child; Infant; United States; Humans; Child, Preschool; COVID-19 Vaccines; SARS-CoV-2; Prospective Studies; Vaccine Efficacy; COVID-19; Vaccines; Hospitalization; RNA, Messenger

Keywords

COVID-19 Vaccines; SARS-CoV-2; Prospective Studies; Vaccine Efficacy; COVID-19; Vaccines; Hospitalization; Messenger RNA

Comments

The MMWR series of publications is published by the Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Service.

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