A new study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that COVID-19 vaccination dramatically lowers the risk of emergency medical care for children. The research, published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, demonstrates a 76% reduction in emergency room (ER) or urgent care visits among children aged nine months to four years who received the vaccine. For those aged five to 17, the reduction was 56% compared to unvaccinated children.
Study Findings and Timeline
The CDC’s findings cover a period from August 29, 2024, to September 2, 2025, across nine U.S. states. During this timeframe, approximately 38,000 children were hospitalized with COVID-19 – a rate of around 53 hospitalizations per 100,000 children. The highest hospitalization rate occurred in infants under six months old (600 per 100,000), who are currently ineligible for direct vaccination. However, the study notes that maternal vaccination during pregnancy does provide some early protection to newborns.
“Vaccination with a 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine dose provided children with additional protection against COVID-19–associated emergency department or urgent care encounters compared with no 2024–2025 dose,” the CDC report states.
Shifting Vaccination Recommendations and Controversy
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) initially recommended universal COVID vaccination for all individuals aged six months and older in June 2024. However, in September 2025, the ACIP underwent a significant revision under the leadership of Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The updated guidance now advises consultation with a healthcare provider before vaccination – a change that many medical experts have criticized.
Conflicting Statements and Ongoing Investigations
The study’s findings are at odds with recent claims made by Kennedy, who has falsely labeled the COVID vaccine as “the deadliest vaccine ever made.” Additionally, a leaked memo from a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official alleged 10 pediatric deaths linked to COVID vaccines, though no supporting evidence was provided. The FDA is currently expanding its investigation to include potential adult fatalities.
The study reinforces the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in protecting children from severe illness, despite recent political shifts and unsubstantiated claims questioning vaccine safety. This data is critical in informing public health decisions and ensuring that evidence-based recommendations guide vaccination strategies.
