SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in children and adolescents: Can immunization prevent hospitalization?

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pediatrics
• Virology

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses risks to all ages, including severe pediatric diseases like encephalitis.
• The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants necessitates robust vaccination strategies across all age demographics.
• Urgent need for vaccines to prevent severe coronavirus disease (COVID) and its complications in children and adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273) in pediatric populations.
• To evaluate real-world and clinical trial data on mRNA vaccine performance against SARS-CoV-2.
• To inform vaccination strategies for protecting children and adolescents from severe COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of clinical trials and real-world evidence on BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines.
• Analysis of vaccine efficacy in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe outcomes in different pediatric age groups.
• Assessment of vaccine safety profiles, including common and rare adverse events.

Main Results:

• mRNA-1273 demonstrated efficacy in preschool children (6 months-6 years).
• Both BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 are effective in school-aged children and adolescents, preventing infection and post-COVID conditions.
• Common side effects include injection site pain, fatigue, and headache; myocarditis/pericarditis are rare. Monitoring troponin levels may mitigate cardiac risks.

Conclusions:

• mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2, mRNA-1273) are generally safe and effective for pediatric populations.
• Vaccination significantly reduces severe disease and hospitalization rates due to SARS-CoV-2 in children and adolescents.
• Continuous vaccine development, potentially using viral nucleocapsid proteins, is crucial to address evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants and maintain herd immunity.