CDC highlights strong effectiveness of 2024–2025 COVID-19 shots in kids while FDA reviews reports of alleged post-vaccination deaths

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CDC data from the 2024–2025 respiratory virus season show that the updated COVID-19 vaccines substantially reduced serious illness in children, particularly illnesses severe enough to require emergency department or urgent care visits.23

In a CDC vaccine effectiveness network analysis across nine U.S. states, the 2024–2025 COVID-19 shots reduced emergency department and urgent care visits by about 76% in children ages 9 months to 4 years over a six‑month period.2

For children 5–17 years old, the same CDC analysis found the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines reduced emergency and urgent care visits by about 56% over six months, consistent with effectiveness seen in the 2023–2024 season.23

CDC emphasizes that these findings indicate meaningful additional protection from a 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine dose against medically attended COVID-19 in pediatric age groups.23

Earlier clinical trial data that informed authorization showed high efficacy in children:
about 91% efficacy in 5–11‑year‑olds and 100% efficacy in 12–15‑year‑olds against symptomatic COVID-19 in the original Pfizer‑BioNTech pediatric trials, with mostly mild to moderate side effects and at least two months of safety follow‑up.1

U.S. vaccine safety monitoring uses systems such as VAERS and the CDC’s active surveillance networks to detect rare serious adverse events, including deaths reported after vaccination, and FDA routinely reviews these reports as part of its regulatory oversight.1

When deaths are reported after vaccination, FDA and CDC investigations focus on whether there is a causal link to the vaccine; historically, most reported deaths after COVID-19 vaccination have not been found to be caused by the vaccine once medical records, autopsies and background death rates are reviewed.1

The current FDA probe referenced in news coverage concerns alleged deaths reported after pediatric COVID-19 vaccination, but regulators and CDC officials have underscored that, based on available evidence, the benefits of vaccination in preventing serious COVID-19 in children continue to clearly outweigh known risks.23

CDC’s messaging around the new data stresses that kids who are up to date with the 2024–2025 COVID-19 shot have significantly lower risk of needing emergency or urgent care for COVID-19 compared with unvaccinated or not up‑to‑date peers.23

Public health agencies recommend that parents discuss vaccination with pediatric clinicians, weighing the documented effectiveness against severe disease against the rare but monitored safety signals that FDA is actively investigating.123

Sources:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/covid-19-vaccines-for-kids/art-20513332

2. https://www.axios.com/2025/12/11/covid-shots-prevented-children-emergency-visits

3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41379943/?fc=None&ff=20251212004822&v=2.18.0.post22+67771e2