COVID-19 Vaccination and Odds of Post–COVID-19 Condition Symptoms in Children Aged 5 to 17 Years, 2025, Yousaf et al.

COVID-19 Vaccination and Odds of Post–COVID-19 Condition Symptoms in Children Aged 5 to 17 Years
Anna R. Yousaf; Josephine Mak; Lisa Gwynn; Karen Lutrick; Robin F. Bloodworth; Ramona P. Rai; Zuha Jeddy; Lindsay B. LeClair; Laura J. Edwards; Lauren E.W. Olsho; Gabriella Newes-Adeyi; Alexandra F. Dalton; Alberto J. Caban-Martinez; Manjusha Gaglani; Sarang K. Yoon; Kurt T. Hegmann; Andrew L. Phillips; Jefferey L. Burgess; Katherine D. Ellingson; Patrick Rivers; Jennifer K. Meece; Leora R. Feldstein; Harmony L. Tyner; Allison Naleway; Angela P. Campbell; Amadea Britton; Sharon Saydah

IMPORTANCE
An estimated 1% to 3% of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection will develop post–COVID-19 condition (PCC).

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the odds of PCC among children with COVID-19 vaccination prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with odds among unvaccinated children.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
In this case-control study, children were enrolled in a multisite longitudinal pediatric cohort from July 27, 2021, to September 1, 2022, and followed up through May 2023. Analysis used a case (PCC reported)–control (no PCC reported) design and included children aged 5 to 17 years whose first real time–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)–confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred during the study period, who were COVID-19 vaccine age-eligible at the time of infection, and who completed a PCC survey at least 60 days after infection. From December 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023, children had weekly SARS-CoV-2 testing and were surveyed regarding PCC (≥1 new or ongoing symptom lasting ≥1 month after infection).

EXPOSURES
COVID-19 mRNA vaccination status at time of infection was the exposure of interest; participants were categorized as vaccinated (≥2-dose series completed ≥14 days before infection) or unvaccinated. Vaccination status was verified through vaccination cards or vaccine registry and/or medical records when available.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES
Main outcomes were estimates of the odds of PCC symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to estimate the odds of PCC among vaccinated children compared with odds of PCC among unvaccinated children.

RESULTS
A total of 622 participants were included, with 28 (5%) case participants and 594 (95%) control participants. Median (IQR) age was 10.0 (7.0-11.9) years for case participants and 10.3 (7.8-12.7) years for control participants (P = .37). Approximately half of both groups reported female sex (13 case participants [46%] and 287 control participants [48%]). Overall, 57% of case participants (16 children) and 77% of control participants (458 children) were vaccinated (P = .05). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, number of acute COVID-19 symptoms, and baseline health, COVID-19 vaccination was associated with decreased odds of 1 or more PCC symptom (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19-0.98) and 2 or more PCC symptoms (aOR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.10-0.69).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this study, mRNA COVID-19 vaccination was associated with reduced odds of PCC in children. The aORs correspond to an estimated 57% and 73% reduced likelihood of 1 or more and 2 or more PCC symptoms, respectively, among vaccinated vs unvaccinated children. These findings suggest benefits of COVID-19 vaccination beyond those associated with protection against acute COVID-19 and may encourage increased pediatric uptake.


Link | PDF (JAMA Network Open) [Open Access]

 

Vaccine companies as allies to get LC accepted, wonderful thought.
Do you think it could turn around JFK and make him into a pro-vaccine LC advocate?

 

Agree, those with the biggest financial incentives to do the right thing and follow the science and get people vaccinated (amongst loads of other preventive healthcare measures) are health insurers and drug companies. So they will.