March 22nd, 2022
Even though COVID-19 tends to be mild or asymptomatic when children are infected with SARS-CoV-2, the fact is it can produce quite severe symptoms and complications in infants and children under 5 who are not yet eligible for getting the vaccine.
CDC researchers last week published a study showing how badly young children were impacted by the Omicron wave that began in late December 2021 and which is only now fading in amplitude and intensity — and in our collective consciousness, at least for the time being. As Omicron was peaking in January, hospitalizations from COVID-19 in children 0-4 years old were five times higher than during the peak of the Delta surge in late summer 2021. ICU admissions were 3.5 times higher. Moreover, infants under 6 months of age had a hospitalization rate during Omicron that was six times higher compared with Delta — the highest rate of hospitalizations in children under 5 who aren’t yet eligible to receive a vaccine.
We know that the presence of underlying health conditions increases the risk of getting seriously ill and dying from COVID-19 in children and adults. That’s why this finding from the study was so jarring: 63% of children under 5 years old who were hospitalized due to Omicron had no underlying medical conditions.
Yesterday we found two practical ways to safely and effectively prevent serious COVID-19 infections in newborns and infants under 6 months of age. By making sure expectant mothers are fully vaccinated prior to delivery, protective antibodies are passed along through umbilical cord blood to the baby. Vaccinated mothers who breastfeed also transmit antibodies in breast milk, strengthening and prolonging the immunity their infants receive.
As the terrible Omicron surge continues to recede in our memories, the study’s authors urge everyone to stay vigilant… and vaccinated:
CDC recommends that women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to become pregnant, or might become pregnant get vaccinated and stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination.
All persons who are eligible for vaccination, including pregnant women, should receive and stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination to reduce the risk for severe disease for themselves and others with whom they come into contact, including infants and children aged 0–4 years who are currently not eligible for vaccination.
