Top 5 Takeaways

1. Widespread Provider Availability: As of April 25, 2022, 87.5% of U.S. counties had at least one active COVID-19 vaccine provider for children aged 5–11, primarily pharmacies and public health clinics.
2. Association Between Provider Availability and Vaccination Coverage: The presence of vaccine providers, especially pediatric clinics, in a county was linked to higher COVID-19 vaccination rates among children aged 5–11.
3. Impact of Pediatric Clinics: Counties with pediatric clinics showed the largest difference in vaccination coverage, highlighting the critical role of these clinics in promoting vaccination.
4. Barriers to Vaccination: Concerns about vaccine safety, effectiveness, and the perceived low risk of severe COVID-19 in children are significant barriers to increasing vaccination rates among this age group.
5. Strategies to Improve Coverage: Broadening access to vaccines, addressing vaccination hesitancy, and leveraging pharmacies and public health clinics can aid in enhancing vaccination coverage among children aged 5–11.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Jennifer DeCuir, qeo3@cdc.gov.

Suggested Citation

DeCuir J, Meng L, Pan Y, et al. COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Availability and Vaccination Coverage Among Children Aged 5–11 Years — United States, November 1, 2021–April 25, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:847–851. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7126a3 .

Summary

The study investigates the association between the availability of COVID-19 vaccine providers and vaccination coverage among children aged 5–11 years in the U.S. from November 1, 2021, to April 25, 2022. It found that most U.S. counties had accessible vaccine providers for this age group, which positively correlated with higher vaccination rates.

Methods

This cross-sectional analysis utilized data on active COVID-19 vaccine providers and county-level vaccine administration to examine the impact of provider availability on vaccination coverage among children aged 5–11.

Discussion

The presence of pediatric clinics, family medicine clinics, FQHCs, pharmacies, and public health clinics as vaccine providers was crucial for improving vaccination coverage. The analysis highlights the role of pediatric clinics in significantly enhancing vaccination rates and identifies barriers to vaccination, such as vaccine hesitancy among parents.

Conclusion

Ensuring broad access to COVID-19 vaccines and addressing vaccine hesitancy are essential strategies for increasing vaccination coverage among children aged 5–11 years. The study underscores the importance of pharmacies and public health clinics in providing vaccine access, especially in areas lacking pediatric clinics.

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