Published in the journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Here is a link to the article.
Regenstrief Institute authors: Shaun Grannis, M.D., (affiliate scientist) Peter Embí, M.D., M.S.
Abstract
On June 19, 2022, the original monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were approved as a primary series for children aged 6 months-4 years (Pfizer-BioNTech) and 6 months-5 years (Moderna) based on safety, immunobridging, and limited efficacy data from clinical trials. On December 9, 2022, CDC expanded recommendations for use of updated bivalent vaccines to children aged ≥6 months. mRNA COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against emergency department or urgent care (ED/UC) encounters was evaluated within the VISION Network during July 4, 2022-June 17, 2023, among children with COVID-19-like illness aged 6 months-5 years. Among children aged 6 months-5 years who received molecular SARS-CoV-2 testing during August 1, 2022-June 17, 2023, VE of 2 monovalent Moderna doses against ED/UC encounters was 29% (95% CI = 12%-42%) ≥14 days after dose 2 (median = 100 days after dose 2; IQR = 63-155 days). Among children aged 6 months-4 years with a COVID-19-like illness who received molecular testing during September 19, 2022-June 17, 2023, VE of 3 monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech doses was 43% (95% CI = 17%-61%) ≥14 days after dose 3 (median = 75 days after dose 3; IQR = 40-139 days). Effectiveness of ≥1 bivalent dose, comparing children with at least a complete primary series and ≥1 bivalent dose to unvaccinated children, irrespective of vaccine manufacturer, was 80% (95% CI = 42%-96%) among children aged 6 months-5 years a median of 58 days (IQR = 32-83 days) after the dose. All children should stay up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including initiation of COVID-19 vaccination immediately when they are eligible.
Authors
Ruth Link-Gelles, PhD, corresponding author,1, Allison Avrich Ciesla, PhD,1,2, Elizabeth A.K. Rowley, DrPH,3, Nicola P. Klein, M.D., PhD,4, Allison L. Naleway, PhD,5, Amanda B. Payne, PhD,1, Anupam Kharbanda, M.D.,6, Karthik Natarajan, PhD,7,8, Malini B. DeSilva, M.D.,9, Kristin Dascomb, M.D., PhD,10, Stephanie A. Irving, MHS,5, Ousseny Zerbo, PhD,4, Sarah E. Reese, PhD,3, Ryan E. Wiegand, PhD,1, Morgan Najdowski, MPH,1, Toan C. Ong, PhD,11, Suchitra Rao, MBBS,11, Melissa S. Stockwell, M.D.,8,12,13, Ashley Stephens, M.D.,8,12, Kristin Goddard, MPH,4, Yessica C. Martinez, MPH,3, Zachary A. Weber, PhD,3, Bruce Fireman,4, John Hansen, MPH,4, Julius Timbol, M.S.,4, Shaun J. Grannis, M.D.,14,15, Michelle A. Barron, M.D.,11, Peter J. Embi, M.D.,16, Sarah W. Ball, ScD,3, Manjusha Gaglani, MBBS,17,18, Nancy Grisel, MPP,10, Julie Arndorfer, MPH,10, Mark W. Tenforde, M.D., PhD,19, Katherine E. Fleming-Dutra, M.D. 1
Author Affiliations
1Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC; 2Eagle Health Analytics, San Antonio, Texas; 3Westat, Rockville, Maryland; 4Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, Oakland, California; 5Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon; 6Children’s Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 7Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; 8New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York; 9HealthPartners Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 10Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Epidemiology, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah; 11School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; 12Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York; 13Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York; 14Center for Biomedical Informatics, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana; 15School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana; 16Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; 17Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, Texas; 18Department of Medical Education, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Temple, Texas; 19Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC.
