Recent findings from two studies conducted by the CDC indicate a significant rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations among children and adolescents following the introduction of the Delta variant. As mask mandates and safety measures for children remain hotly debated, the urgency for vaccinations has become more pressing. Despite numerous emotional appeals from unvaccinated individuals urging others to get vaccinated as they face severe illness, the vaccination uptake in areas most affected by the pandemic has not seen a substantial increase. Currently, children under 12 are ineligible for the vaccine, and as the school year progresses, hospitalization rates among youth continue to climb.
The first CDC study, covering the period from March 1, 2020, to August 14, 2021, noted a sharp increase in hospitalizations for children between late June and mid-August, coinciding with the Delta variant’s spread in the U.S. This marked a five-fold rise in hospitalizations compared to the time before the Delta variant emerged, with its contagiousness likened to that of chickenpox.
On a more reassuring note, CDC Director Dr. Jamie Foster stated that the Delta variant does not appear to cause more severe illness in children compared to previous strains. “Although we are seeing more cases in children and more overall cases, these studies demonstrated that there was not increased disease severity in children,” she remarked during a press briefing. The rise in infections among children correlates with a broader increase in community cases, particularly as unvaccinated adults pose a risk to their children. Notably, the hospitalization rates for unvaccinated adolescents were found to be ten times higher than for those who received the vaccine.
The second study reinforces the connection between vaccination rates and hospitalization figures. It revealed that during a two-week span in August, emergency hospital visits related to COVID-19 for children and adolescents were most prevalent in states with the lowest vaccination rates. This underscores the critical role of community vaccination in protecting children. “What is clear from these data is community-level vaccination coverage protects our children,” Dr. Foster emphasized. “We know what we need to do to protect our children: get vaccinated, wear masks, and follow CDC guidance. We must come together to ensure that our children, indeed our future, remain safe and healthy during this time.”
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In summary, the Delta variant has led to a dramatic increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations among children, highlighting the importance of vaccinations and safety measures. As the school year unfolds, the need for community action to protect children from the virus is more critical than ever.