A recent CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) analysed COVID-19 associated hospitalisation rates in children aged 5–11 years during the Omicron-predominant period and the Delta-predominant period.
Hospitalisation rates in unvaccinated children were approximately double those of vaccinated children. Severe disease was more likely to occur in children with a history of diabetes and obesity, with one-third of hospitalised children during the Omicron period having had an underlying neurological condition. Racial and ethnic minority groups were disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Further, the analysis suggests that vaccination of children aged 5-11 years reduces the risk for infection, protects against COVID-19–associated illness and prevents multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.
To read the full report, click on the link below.
CDC: Hospitalizations of Children Aged 5–11 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19