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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Aug 7;21(1):80.
doi: 10.1186/s12969-023-00848-1.

The protective effect of COVID-19 vaccines on developing multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C): a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Mohamad Hamad Saied  1   2 , Laura van der Griend  3 , Joeri W van Straalen  4 , Nico M Wulffraat  4 , Sebastiaan Vastert  4   5 , Marc H A Jansen  4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The protective effect of COVID-19 vaccines on developing multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C): a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Mohamad Hamad Saied et al. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. .

Abstract

Objective: To review whether the current COVID-19 vaccines can prevent the occurrence of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and adolescents.

Methods: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were performed. The data were abstracted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Primary outcome was the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in preventing MIS-C development. The search was performed in PubMed and Embase.

Results: The review yielded 13 studies, which were included for critical appraisal and data extraction. The available studies showed a reduced incidence of MIS-C after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in children aged 12-18 years. Four studies were eligible for meta-analysis and the pooled odds ratio for MIS-C in vaccinated children compared to unvaccinated children was 0.04 (95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.06). Additionally, the risk of MIS-C as an adverse effect of vaccination was much lower compared to the risk of MIS-C post-infection.

Conclusions: Our systematic review highlights the current available evidence on the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in preventing MIS-C. The published studies so far - mainly conducted during the Delta wave - indicate that (original strain) COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in children are safe and associated with significantly less development of MIS-C. These findings further reinforce the recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination in children, which should be promoted and largely supported.

Keywords: COVID-19; MIS-C; PIMS-TS; mRNA vaccine.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flow diagram for the search of databases
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot of meta-analysis for the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on the number of MIS-C events. Boxes around study effect estimates reflect relative weight in the analysis. P-value reflects Cochran’s Q test of heterogeneity. CI: confidence interval, OR: odds ratio
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Funnel plot of studies included in meta-analysis. Vertical line indicates pooled common effects estimate. Vertical dashed line indicates pooled random effects estimate
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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