Top 5 Takeaways

1. Higher Hospitalization Rates Among Unvaccinated: During the Omicron predominance, hospitalization rates for unvaccinated children aged 5–11 were approximately twice as high as for vaccinated children.
2. Significant Proportion of Unvaccinated Children: Non-Hispanic Black children represented the largest group of unvaccinated children and accounted for about one-third of hospitalizations.
3. Severe Outcomes: 19% of hospitalized children were admitted to the ICU, and children with diabetes and obesity were more likely to experience severe COVID-19.
4. Underlying Medical Conditions: 30% of hospitalized children had no underlying medical conditions, highlighting the risk even for healthy children.
5. Importance of Vaccination: Increasing vaccination coverage, especially among racial and ethnic minority groups, is crucial to preventing severe outcomes and hospitalizations.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Dallas S. Shi, Dshi@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Shi DS, Whitaker M, Marks KJ, et al. Hospitalizations of Children Aged 5–11 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 — COVID-NET, 14 States, March 2020–February 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:574-581. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7116e1

Summary

This report analyzes COVID-19–associated hospitalizations among children aged 5–11 years from March 2020 to February 2022, with a focus on the Omicron-predominant period. It highlights that hospitalization rates for unvaccinated children were significantly higher compared to vaccinated children. Non-Hispanic Black children were the largest group of unvaccinated children and accounted for a significant portion of hospitalizations. The study underscores the importance of increasing vaccination coverage to prevent severe outcomes.

Methods

Data from the COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET) were analyzed, covering 99 counties across 14 U.S. states. Hospitalization rates were calculated based on positive SARS-CoV-2 test results during or preceding hospitalization. Clinical data from different periods (pre-Delta, Delta, and Omicron) were compared. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and chi-square tests, with p<0.05 considered significant.

Discussion

The study found that hospitalization rates peaked higher during the Omicron period compared to the Delta period. Most hospitalized children were unvaccinated, with a significant proportion being Black. The findings suggest that vaccination reduces the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. The study also noted that diabetes and obesity were associated with increased risk for severe disease, while conditions like asthma and immunocompromising conditions were not.

Conclusion

The potential for serious disease among children aged 5–11 years highlights the importance of increasing vaccination coverage, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups. The study emphasizes the need for public health strategies to ensure equitable vaccine distribution to prevent COVID-19–associated morbidity in children.

This has been your booster shot of MMWR Info! Please check back for more MMWR, Public Health, and Programming Tutorial content daily.