Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 93% effective at preventing pediatric hospitalizations

Two doses of the Pfizer vaccine are 93% effective at preventing COVID-19 hospitalization among children aged 12 to 18, according to a study at 19 pediatric hospitals released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study examined prior vaccination status among 464 patients hospitalized with and without COVID-19 between June and September, when the delta variant was predominant, and found nearly all (97%) of the patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were unvaccinated. The authors said the findings “reinforce the importance of vaccination to protect U.S. youths against severe COVID-19.” The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for this age group.