Durability of Original Monovalent mRNA Vaccine Effectiveness Against COVID-19 Omicron–Associated Hospitalization in Children and Adolescents — United States, 2021–2023
Weekly / April 18, 2024 / 73(15);330–338
Laura D. Zambrano, PhD1; Margaret M. Newhams, MPH2; Regina M. Simeone, PhD1; Amanda B. Payne, PhD1; Michael Wu, MSc1; Amber O. Orzel-Lockwood, MPH2; Natasha B. Halasa, MD3; Jemima M. Calixte, MS2; Pia S. Pannaraj, MD4,5; Kanokporn Mongkolrattanothai, MD6; Julie A. Boom, MD7; Leila C. Sahni, PhD7; Satoshi Kamidani, MD, PhD8,9; Kathleen Chiotos, MD10; Melissa A. Cameron, MD11; Aline B. Maddux, MD12,13; Katherine Irby, MD14; Jennifer E. Schuster, MD15; Elizabeth H. Mack, MD16; Austin Biggs, MD16; Bria M. Coates, MD17,18; Kelly N. Michelson, MD17,18; Katherine E. Bline, MD19; Ryan A. Nofziger, MD20; Hillary Crandall, MD, PhD21,22; Charlotte V. Hobbs, MD23; Shira J. Gertz, MD24; Sabrina M. Heidemann, MD25; Tamara T. Bradford, MD26,27; Tracie C. Walker, MD28; Stephanie P. Schwartz, MD28; Mary Allen Staat, MD29; Samina S. Bhumbra, MD30; Janet R. Hume, MD31; Michele Kong, MD32; Melissa S. Stockwell, MD33,34,35; Thomas J. Connors, MD35,36; Melissa L. Cullimore, MD37; Heidi R. Flori, MD38; Emily R. Levy, MD39; Natalie Z. Cvijanovich, MD40; Matt S. Zinter, MD41; Mia Maamari, MD42; Cindy Bowens, MD42; Danielle M. Zerr, MD43; Judith A. Guzman-Cottrill, DO44; Ivan Gonzalez, MD45; Angela P. Campbell, MD1,*; Adrienne G. Randolph, MD2,46,47,*; Overcoming COVID-19 Investigators (VIEW AUTHOR AFFILIATIONS)
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Summary
What is already known about this topic?
COVID-19 vaccination was shown to be effective against pediatric COVID-19 hospitalization before the emergence of the Omicron variant.
What is added by this report?
During December 19, 2021–October 29, 2023, receipt of ≥2 doses of an original monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was 52% effective against pediatric COVID-19 hospitalization and 57% effective against critical illness related to COVID-19, when the last dose was received within the 4 months preceding hospitalization, but protection decreased over time.
What are the implications for public health practice?
These findings support existing recommendations that children and adolescents aged 5–18 years remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccination given low vaccination coverage and waning effectiveness over time against COVID-19–related hospitalizations.