Three newly published studies have revived concerns about COVID-19 vaccines for young children, many of whom are at little risk of contracting serious cases of the illness.
Youth under 18 are the least likely age group to need hospital care after getting COVID-19 but Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine was authorized in 2020 for those 16 and older and the authorization was expanded in 2021 to children as young as 5. At the time of the regulatory actions, officials said children should get vaccinated because the jab was highly effective at preventing COVID-19 infection and would likely help curb severe cases among those who still got the disease.
