Study: COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness may wane in younger children as well

Completing the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 monovalent vaccine primary series protects children aged 3-5 and 3-4, respectively, against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection for at least four months, according to a study in those ages released yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC said the data suggest the vaccines’ effectiveness may wane after 3-4 months in this age group, similar to patterns seen in older children and adults. 

According to two other studies released yesterday by CDC, only 5% of eligible children had completed a COVID-19 primary series as of Dec. 31, and only 27% of adults and 19% of adolescents had received a bivalent booster. An additional 39% of adults and 52% of adolescents’ parents were open to booster vaccination.  

CDC recommends all Americans aged 6 months and older stay up to date with the recommended COVID-19 vaccines for their age group.