CDC: Almost 90% of Kids Hospitalized for Omicron Unvaccinated, Prompts Calls for More Vaccination Coverage

When the COVID-19 omicron variant surged, the hospitalization rates of unvaccinated children aged 5-11 were twice more than those of vaccinated children, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.

The study also noted that unvaccinated children stayed in the hospital longer and were more likely to need high degrees of breathing support, such as the nasal oxygen tube or mechanical ventilation. The CDC says this study highlights the importance of children getting vaccinated.

Unvaccinated vs. vaccinated children

The study involved 400 cases in 14 states between mid-December and late February, and it found that 87 percent were unvaccinated. When Omicron surged, the hospitalization rate of unvaccinated children in the age group was 2.1 times higher than the vaccinated children.

The unvaccinated children stayed in the hospital for three days, compared to vaccinated children who stayed for only two days. The CDC noted that the vaccinated children confined in the hospital did not need high degrees of breathing support such as nasal oxygen tube or mechanical ventilation. The agency also stated that one in five children admitted to hospitals required treatment in intensive care units, NY1 reports.

The U.S. regulators authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11 before the Omicron surged.

Read also: WHO Investigates Cases of Perfectly Healthy Kids Getting Rare and Severe Liver Damage.

Vaccination data across racial disparities

According to New York Times, the CDC report offers compelling evidence that racial disparities in childhood vaccination might be leaving Black children more exposed to severe illness from COVID.

The study also revealed that black children are the largest group of unvaccinated kids aged five to 11. The group also covers a third of overall COVID-19-related hospitalization. Based on the 2020 census data, Black children comprise about 14 percent of U.S. residents from five to 11 years old.

The recent CDC report does not indicate data on the race or ethnicity of vaccinated children, making it difficult to study the gaps in COVID-19 protection.

This month, a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation indicates that Black children had lower vaccination rates than the white children in most states. The highest vaccination rates were among Asian children, while the Hispanic children had lower vaccination rates or almost similar rates to white children.

As per VOA, the CDC cites only 28 percent or around eight million children between five and 11 years of age are fully vaccinated. As of April 5, 2022, 34 percent of children ages five to 11 received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. 

Increasing vaccination coverage

Children have the potential to acquire serious diseases requiring hospitalization or ICU admission. Hence, CDC underlines the importance of increasing vaccination coverage among children aged five to 11 years old, giving particular attention to increasing vaccination rates in racial and ethnic minority groups affected by COVID-19, as it is crucial in reducing severe cases or deaths associated with the infection. 

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