Top 5 Takeaways
- High Provider Accessibility: By 11 weeks after the pediatric COVID-19 vaccination program launch, 92% of children aged 5–11 years lived within 5 miles of a vaccine provider.
- Pharmacy Role: Pharmacies accounted for 44% of vaccine providers and administered 46.4% of doses to this age group.
- Coverage Disparities: First-dose vaccination coverage was lower in high social vulnerability index (SVI) areas but improved over time, from 10.5% at 4 weeks to 21.2% at 11 weeks.
- Series Completion Rates: Overall series completion at 11 weeks was 19.1%, with lower rates in high SVI areas (13.7%) compared to low SVI areas (21.7%).
- Ongoing Outreach Needed: Continued efforts are critical to improve vaccine confidence and coverage, especially in high SVI areas.
Original Article Author and Citation
Corresponding Author
Christine Kim, ckim3@cdc.gov
Suggested Citation
Summary
This report examines COVID-19 vaccine provider access and early vaccination coverage among children aged 5–11 years in the United States from November 2021 to January 2022. The study found that 92% of children lived within 5 miles of a vaccine provider, with pharmacies playing a significant role. Vaccination coverage was initially low, particularly in high SVI areas, but showed improvement over time. Despite broad access, ongoing outreach is essential to improve vaccine confidence and coverage, especially in underserved communities.
Methods
The study analyzed COVID-19 vaccine administration data reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CDC. Active providers were defined as those who received shipments or administered at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 vaccine in the preceding 28 days or reported inventory in the preceding 7 days. Vaccination coverage was calculated by dividing the number of children who received at least one dose or completed the primary series by the county population totals for those aged 5–11 years. Data were analyzed using statistical software and geospatial tools to assess provider distribution and coverage rates by SVI areas.
Discussion
The findings highlight the success in establishing a broad network of vaccine providers, ensuring that most children had access to the COVID-19 vaccine within 5 miles of their residence. However, vaccination coverage rates were lower in high SVI areas, underscoring the need for targeted outreach and education to improve vaccine confidence and uptake. Pharmacies played a crucial role in administering vaccines, particularly during high-demand periods. The study suggests that similar strategies could be employed if vaccines are recommended for younger children in the future.
Conclusion
While the initial rollout of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccination program ensured broad access, coverage rates were lower in high SVI areas. Ongoing efforts to improve vaccine confidence and targeted outreach are essential to increase vaccination rates among children aged 5–11 years. Lessons learned from this program can guide future vaccination efforts for younger age groups, focusing on equitable access and addressing community-specific concerns.
This has been your booster shot of MMWR Info! Please check back for more MMWR, Public Health, and Programming Tutorial content daily.