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COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Children Under 5 Years of Age

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Michigan State University doctors emphasize that vaccinating children against COVID-19 protects against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. According to the data, since the start of the pandemic, there have been over 2.5 million cases of COVID-19, 200,000 hospitalizations, and almost 500 deaths in children under 5 years of age. The new FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine has shown 99% effectiveness in preventing MIS-C in older children, a severe immune response.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new COVID-19 vaccine is approved for children under 5 years of age, protecting against severe disease, hospitalization, and death.
  • Since the start of the pandemic, there have been over 2.5 million cases of COVID-19, 200,000 hospitalizations, and almost 500 deaths in children under 5 years of age.
  • Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech have approved vaccines for children over 6 months of age, with the Moderna vaccine being administered as a two-shot series and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as a three-shot series.
  • The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 1/10 of the adult dose and 3/4 of the Moderna vaccine dose for children under 5 years of age.
  • The vaccines are fairly equivalent, and the one available in the area would be recommended.
  • According to the FDA, the Moderna vaccine was 50% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children 6 months to 23 months of age and 36% effective in children 2 to 5 years of age.

Statistics:

  • Over 2.5 million cases of COVID-19 in children under 5 years of age since the start of the pandemic.
  • 200,000 hospitalizations in children under 5 years of age.
  • Almost 500 deaths in children under 5 years of age.
  • 99% effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing MIS-C in older children.
  • 50% effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine in preventing COVID-19 in children 6 months to 23 months of age.
  • 36% effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine in preventing COVID-19 in children 2 to 5 years of age.
  • 1/10 of the adult dose for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children under 5 years of age.

Sources:

  • Rebecca Schein, a doctor of pediatric infectious diseases at Michigan State University
  • By: Kim Ward

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