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Review
. 2023 Nov;57(11):1328-1340.
doi: 10.1177/10600280231156625. Epub 2023 Feb 27.

A Review of the Data Supporting Use of COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Pediatric Population

Jeremy S Stultz  1   2 , Lea S Eiland  3
Affiliations
Review

A Review of the Data Supporting Use of COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Pediatric Population

Jeremy S Stultz et al. Ann Pharmacother. 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to review the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccinations in the pediatric population.

Data sources: PubMed/Medline (September 2020 to December 2022), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) websites.

Study selection and data extraction: Publications regarding the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations in children were included.

Data synthesis: Vaccines authorized for use in children include two monovalent mRNA vaccines (≥6 months old) and one monovalent protein subunit adjuvant vaccine (adolescents only). Omicron-specific mRNA bivalent boosters are authorized for children ≥6 months old. Studies after monovalent vaccine authorization illustrated efficacy in children >5 to 6 years of age, specifically decreased severe COVID-19 (including mortality) and multisystem inflammatory response syndrome occurrence (including during Omicron predominance). Available data for children <5 to 6 years suggests efficacy, although data are limited. Monovalent vaccine efficacy against Omicron infections may wane as early as 2 months, but protection against severe disease complications may last longer, and bivalent Omicron boosters are anticipated to increase effectiveness. Myocarditis/pericarditis is a safety concern associated with the COVID-19 vaccinations but occurs less frequently then COVID-19 complications and thus the benefit outweighs the risks.

Relevance to patient care and clinical practice: Caregivers seek information from health care professionals regarding vaccine safety and efficacy. Pharmacists can use the objective information in this review to educate caregivers and effectively administer COVID-19 vaccines to patients.

Conclusions: There is sufficient and continually growing safety and efficacy data available to recommend COVID-19 vaccinations for children ≥6 months of age.

Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccines; SARS-CoV-2; pediatrics; vaccines.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Timeline with variant expression and most significant COVID-19 pediatric vaccination authorizations.- Abbreviations: BV, bivalent; EUA, emergency use authorization; mRNA, messenger RNA; MV, monovalent.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID data tracker. Date unknown. Accessed February 14, 2023. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_dailycases_select_00
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID data tracker-pediatric data. Date unknown. Accessed October 16, 2022. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#pediatric-data
    1. American Academy of Pediatrics. Children and COVID-19: state-level data report. Date unknown. Accessed February 14, 2023. https://www.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/...
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Provisional COVID-19 deaths: focus on ages 0-18 years. Date unknown. Accessed February 14, 2023. https://data.cdc.gov/NCHS/Provisional-COVID-19-Deaths-Focus-on-Ages-0-18...