Effectiveness of COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccination in Preventing COVID-19–Associated Emergency Department and Urgent Care Encounters and Hospitalizations Among Nonimmunocompromised Children and Adolescents Aged 5–17 Years — VISION Network, 10 States, April 2021–January 2022
Nicola P. Klein, Melissa S. Stockwell, Maria Demarco, Manjusha Gaglani, Anupam B. Kharbanda, Stephanie A. Irving, Suchitra Rao, Shaun J. Grannis, Kristin Dascomb, Kempapura Murthy, Elizabeth Rowley, Alexandra F. Dalton, Malini B. DeSilva, Brian E. Dixon, Karthik Natarajan, Edward Stenehjem, Allison L. Naleway, Ned Lewis, Toan C. Ong, Palak Patel, Deepika Konatham, Peter J. Embí, Sarah E. Reese, Jungmi Han, Nancy Grisel, Kristin Goddard, Michelle A. Barron, Monica Dickerson, I‐Chia Liao, William F. Fadel, Duck‐Hye Yang, Julie Arndorfer, Bruce Fireman, Eric P. Griggs, Nimish R. Valvi, Carly Hallowell, Ousseny Zerbo, Sue Reynolds, Jill M. Ferdinands, Mehiret H. Wondimu, Jeremiah Williams, Catherine H. Bozio, Ruth Link‐Gelles, Eduardo Azziz‐Baumgartner, Stephanie J. Schrag, Mark G. Thompson, Jennifer R. Verani
Abstract
to estimate VE using a case-control test-negative design. Among children aged 5-11 years, VE against laboratory-confirmed COVID-19-associated ED and UC encounters 14-67 days after dose 2 (the longest interval after dose 2 in this age group) was 46%. Among adolescents aged 12-15 and 16-17 years, VE 14-149 days after dose 2 was 83% and 76%, respectively; VE ≥150 days after dose 2 was 38% and 46%, respectively. Among adolescents aged 16-17 years, VE increased to 86% ≥7 days after dose 3 (booster dose). VE against COVID-19-associated ED and UC encounters was substantially lower during the Omicron predominant period than the B.1.617.2 (Delta) predominant period among adolescents aged 12-17 years, with no significant protection ≥150 days after dose 2 during Omicron predominance. However, in adolescents aged 16-17 years, VE during the Omicron predominant period increased to 81% ≥7 days after a third booster dose. During the full study period, including pre-Delta, Delta, and Omicron predominant periods, VE against laboratory-confirmed COVID-19-associated hospitalization among children aged 5-11 years was 74% 14-67 days after dose 2, with wide CIs that included zero. Among adolescents aged 12-15 and 16-17 years, VE 14-149 days after dose 2 was 92% and 94%, respectively; VE ≥150 days after dose 2 was 73% and 88%, respectively. All eligible children and adolescents should remain up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster dose for those aged 12-17 years.