Being grumpy is the most common COVID-19 vaccine side effect in young kids

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-11-26 03:00

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Irritability is the most common side effect following COVID-19 vaccination in kids under 2, according to a study from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The researchers looked at over 5000 kids who had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and found that irritability was the most common reaction followed by fever and fatigue or sleepiness. The authors say these findings add to evidence indicating that mild or moderate reactions may be experienced, but severe reactions and serious adverse events are rare.

Media release

From: JAMA

COVID-19 Vaccine Reactogenicity Among Young Children

JAMA Network Open
Research Letter

About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is an online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication.

About The Study: No unexpected reactions were identified in this analysis of reactions to COVID-19 vaccines among children. Similar to this study, data from clinical trials and V-safe found that irritability was the most common systemic reaction among children ages 6 months to younger than 2 years, followed by fever and fatigue or sleepiness. In contrast to other studies observing a higher prevalence of reactions after the second COVID-19 vaccine dose, this study observed a higher prevalence after the first dose. This difference may reflect maternal vaccination; the first COVID-19 vaccination in this cohort may be some children’s second immunological encounter with a COVID-19 vaccine.

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conference: JAMA Network Open

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Organisation/s: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA

Funder: CDC operating funds supported this work.

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