Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Vaccine-Eligible US Children Under-5 Years Hospitalized for Acute COVID-19 in a National Network.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2024
Identifier
DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004225
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In June 2022, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination was recommended for young children. We examined clinical characteristics and factors associated with vaccination status among vaccine-eligible young children hospitalized for acute COVID-19.
METHODS: We enrolled inpatients 8 months to20, 2022 to May 31, 2023. We assessed demographic and clinical factors, including the highest level of respiratory support, and vaccination status defined as unvaccinated, incomplete, or complete primary series [at least 2 (Moderna) or 3 (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA vaccine doses ≥14 days before hospitalization].
RESULTS: Among 597 children, 174 (29.1%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit and 75 (12.6%) had a life-threatening illness, including 51 (8.5%) requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. Children with underlying respiratory and neurologic/neuromuscular conditions more frequently received higher respiratory support. Only 4.5% of children hospitalized for COVID-19 (n = 27) had completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination series and 7.0% (n = 42) of children initiated but did not complete their primary series. Among 528 unvaccinated children, nearly half (n = 251) were previously healthy, 3 of them required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute COVID-19 and 1 died.
CONCLUSIONS: Most young children hospitalized for acute COVID-19, including most children admitted to the intensive care unit and with life-threatening illness, had not initiated COVID-19 vaccination despite being eligible. Nearly half of these children had no underlying conditions. Of the small percentage of children who initiated a COVID-19 primary series, most had not completed it before hospitalization.
Journal Title
The Pediatric infectious disease journal
Volume
43
Issue
3
First Page
242
Last Page
249
MeSH Keywords
Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Vaccines; Hospitalization; Vaccination
Keywords
COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Vaccines; Hospitalization; Vaccination
Recommended Citation
Zambrano LD, Newhams MM, Simeone RM, et al. Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Vaccine-Eligible US Children Under-5 Years Hospitalized for Acute COVID-19 in a National Network. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2024;43(3):242-249. doi:10.1097/INF.0000000000004225
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