Two features of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were less effective in curbing the risk posed by the Omicron variant in younger children compared to older age groups, according to new data released this week by the Centers for Disease Control. Disease Control and Prevention.
Figures released Thursday afternoon by the CDC for its COVID-NET hospital surveillance show that hospitalization rates for COVID-19 were lower through the end of January among vaccinated Americans of any age, compared to the unvaccinated.
However, the smallest gaps were among children aged 5 to 17 years. Hospitalization rates were six times higher in unvaccinated adults compared to vaccinated. Rates were three times higher in unvaccinated children aged 5 to 11 years and twice as high in unvaccinated children aged 12 to 17 years.
The CDC also released a new study on Friday in its Weekly Morbidity and Mortality Report which estimated that two injections of the Pfizer vaccine were 31% effective against infections of Omicron variants in children ages 5 to 11.
The effectiveness of the 12- to 15-year-old vaccine against Omicron was almost double that of 59%, although the study’s authors noted that the “broad and overlapping” statistical uncertainty around Omicron the two figures suggested that “they may not be significantly different.”
Researchers regularly tested children enrolled in four states (Arizona, Florida, Texas, and Utah) beginning in July 2021. During the Delta variant domain era, the study found that the effectiveness of the vaccine among adolescents it was 87% against infection.
“Other pediatric vaccine efficacy studies were based on laboratory test data or health records and generally only captured cases where a child had symptoms and received health care. With the increase in the use of rapid home testing, studies like ours are needed to provide more complete information on infection rates and vaccine effectiveness, “said lead researcher Lauren Olsho in a statement from Abt Associates, whose scientists co-authored of the study.
Vaccinated children in the study population who took COVID spent on average half a day less sick in bed, compared to unvaccinated children who became ill. However, the study authors also noted that the two groups reported behaving differently: vaccinated children were more likely to say they wore face masks and reported missing more days at school when they were sick.
An increasing number of studies have found a decrease in the effectiveness of the vaccine during the Omicron period in people who have not received a booster vaccine. included among children.
Pfizer and BioNTech have said they hope to have data from their trials early next month that could allow regulators to give the green light to a third dose for children.
In a statement, the CDC said the agency continues to recommend vaccination against COVID-19 as “a safe and critical tool to protect children and adolescents regardless of their health status.”
While children ages 5 to 17 are less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than adults, hundreds of children have died from the disease and many more have faced serious complications from COVID-19.
The CDC recently said that parents could spoil their children’s first two injections for up to eight weeks, as a way to increase the effectiveness of the vaccine and reduce the risk of side effects of rare heart inflammation linked to vaccine.
A separate study written by CDC scientists published on Friday, which was published as a pre-printed review that has not yet been peer-reviewed, found that hospitalization rates during COVID-19 among children generally exceeded those of previous flu seasons, even before the record. Omicron wave that led to a record increase in hospitalizations of children.
However, the Biden administration has so far struggled to persuade many parents to vaccinate their younger eligible children, as early release has lagged behind that of older ages.
Only 26.6% of children aged 5 to 11 are fully vaccinated.
By the end of January, an ongoing CDC survey found that the proportion of parents who say they “probably or definitely” will not vaccinate their 5- to 11-year-olds had risen to 31%.
“The data show that vaccines are one of the most effective ways to keep people, including children, safe from COVID-19 by preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death,” said Dr. Nirav Shah. Maine Health Officer and President of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials said this last week.
Shah’s statement came after the general surgeon in Florida sparked controversy moving to discourage vaccinate children against COVID-19.
“Now is the time to help more families and communities protect themselves through vaccination,” Shah said.
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