COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Children 511 Years Old in the United States

Strategic Insights -

Vaccination against COVID-19 is crucial to prevent severe illness and death among children, particularly those under 5 years old. During the first 2 months of vaccine rollout in November and December 2021, only 24.0% of US children 511 years of age received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose, with rapid initial uptake occurring within the first 2 weeks. The COVID-19 vaccination coverage varied widely across the United States, with some jurisdictions having substantially higher vaccination coverage than others.

Key Takeaways:

  • Vaccination coverage among children 511 years of age was only 24% during the first 2 months of vaccine rollout.
  • Many disparities emerged during the first 2 months of vaccine rollout, including racial and ethnic disparities.
  • Children of Asian descent were overrepresented, while White, Black, and Hispanic children were underrepresented in vaccination coverage.
  • Poverty rates among Black (19.5%) and Hispanic (17.0%) communities are among the highest in the country.
  • Lower income parents face challenges taking leave from work to get their children vaccinated or to care for children who have vaccine side effects.
  • Access to a medical home could help address parental concerns about COVID-19 vaccines and improve vaccination uptake among pediatric populations.
  • Parental COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy varies by socioeconomic factors and is higher among parents whose children are publicly insured.
  • Jurisdictions in the Northeast, including Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, had the highest vaccination coverage rates.
  • Jurisdictions in the South, including Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, had the lowest coverage rates.
  • Parental COVID-19 vaccination status is one of the strongest predictors of pediatric COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Overall COVID-19 vaccination uptake among children 511 years of age was higher among children 911 years of age than children 56 years of age.

Statistics:

  • 24.0% of US children 511 years of age received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose during the first 2 months of vaccine rollout.
  • Rapid initial uptake occurred within the first 2 weeks of vaccine rollout.
  • Vaccination coverage varied widely across the United States.
  • 51.2% of the US population under 5 years of age is non-Hispanic White, 14.0% non-Hispanic Black, and 23.0% Hispanic/Latino.
  • Only 49.1% non-Hispanic White, 8.0% non-Hispanic Black, and 21.7% Hispanic/Latino children were vaccinated.
  • 11.4% of vaccine recipients were non-Hispanic Asian children, but this group constitutes only 5.6% of the US population under 5 years of age.

Sources:

  • CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal
  • US Census Bureau 2020 Population Estimates
  • Pfizer Inc.
  • SAS Institute, Inc.
  • Public Health Service
  • US Department of Health and Human Services
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Vaccine Administration Management System
  • Immunization information systems
  • National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases