COVID-19 Vaccines for Children
U.S. Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Program
The U.S. pediatric COVID-19 vaccine program aimed to reduce risks of severe disease, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and death, but encountered challenges in achieving high vaccination coverage and widespread acceptance.
Primary challenges included vaccine hesitancy, programmatic challenges (such as vaccine packaging, provider enrollment, and timing of availability), equity and disparities, communication and public perceptions. The challenges in achieving high vaccination rates for children reflect a complex interplay of logistical, societal, and perceptual barriers. The pediatric COVID-19 vaccine program succeeded in making vaccines widely accessible but struggled to overcome hesitancy, misinformation, and logistical hurdles, particularly for younger age groups. Addressing these challenges in future campaigns will require early and clear communication, community-specific outreach, and better support for vaccine providers.
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Childcare and School (K-12)
Requirements are current as of May 2024
Citation:
Chatham-Stephens, K., et al. (2024). An overview of the COVID-19 pediatric vaccine program – The U.S. experience vaccinating children ages 6 months through 17 years. Vaccine, 42 Suppl 3, 125702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.02.019