06 COVID Panagiotakopoulos 508

CDC ACIP — Vaccine Advisory Committee

Acip

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131

Document text

National Center  for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases 
Evidence to Recommendations Framework: 
2024 -2025 COVID -19 Vaccines in Persons ≥6 Months of Age 
Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, MD, MPH 
ACIP Meeting 
June 27, 2024 

 
    
 
 Evidence to Recommendations (EtR) Framework 
Policy Question 
• Should 2024 – 2025 COVID -19 vaccines be recommended for use in persons 
≥6 months of age? 
• Products and ages under review for authorization or approval by FDA 
include: 
-Moderna COVID -19 vaccine for ages 6 months and older 
-Novavax COVID -19 vaccine for ages 12 years and older 
-Pfizer -BioNTech COVID -19 vaccine for ages 6 months and older 
FDA: Food and Drug Administration 2 
EtR Domain: 
Public Health Problem 
   
     
 Weekly population -based rates of COVID -19-associated hospitalizations, 
by age group — COVID -NET, May 6, 2023 – May 11, 2024 Rate per 100,000 population 70 
60 
50 
40 
30 
20 
10 
0 
Week Ending Date 
<6 months 6 months –4 years 5–11 years 12–17 years 
18–49 years 50–64 years 65–74 years ≥75 years 
CDC COVID Data Tracker. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid -data -tracker/#covidnet -hospitalization -network . Accessed June 17, 2024 4 
   
                 
 
      
    Monthly rates of COVID -19-associated deaths by age group, 
United States, May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024 
Age Group 
Provisional data are non -final counts of deaths based on reported mortality data in NVSS. Deaths include those with COVID -19, co ded as ICD –10 code U07.1, on the death certificate. Death data are displayed by date 
of death (event). 
Source: Provisional data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) National Vital Statistic System (NVSS); CDC COVID Data Tracker. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid -data -
tracker/#demographicsovertime . Accessed June 16, 2024 5 
 
       
      
  
     Weekly number of COVID -19-associated deaths reported to 
CDC, United States, June 3, 2023 – June 8, 2024 
The most recent 3 weeks of mortality counts are shaded grey because NVSS reporting is <95% during this period. 
Provisional data are non -final counts of deaths based on reported mortality data in NVSS. Deaths include those with COVID -19, co ded as ICD –10 code U07.1, on the death certificate. Death data are displayed by date of 
death (event). Data include underlying and contributing causes of death. 
CDC COVID Data Tracker. National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) National Vital Statistics System (NVSS ). https://covid.cdc.gov/covid -data -tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00 . Accessed June 17, 2024 6 
Total number of COVID -19-associated deaths1,2 in 2023, by age group, 
United States 
50000 
44,05945000 
58 44 81 819 4815 
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 Number of Deaths 
1 
    
< 1 year 1-4 years 5-19 years 20-44 years 45-64 years ≥65 years 
1  
 
   
         
      
       Provisional data 
2 Underlying cause of death 
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Provisional Mortality on CDC WONDER Online Database. Data are from the final Multiple Cause of 
Death Files, 2018 -2022, and from provisional data for years 2023 -2024, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Number of deaths includes COVID -
19 code (U07.1) as the underlying cause of death. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd -icd10 -provisional.html on June 5, 2024 7 
  
 
 
   
         
       
          
                Total number of COVID -19 and Influenza -associated deaths1,2 in 2023, 
by age group, United States 
90 81 
58 
44 
17 39 71 
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Number of Deaths 
1 
< 1 year 1-4 years 5-19 years
COVID-19 Influenza 
1 Provisional data 
2 Underlying cause of death 
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Provisional Mortality on CDC WONDER Online Database. Data are from the final Multiple Cause of 
Death Files, 2018 -2022, and from provisional data for years 2023 -2024, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Number of deaths includes 
influenza codes (J09 -J11) or COVID -19 code (U07.1) as the underlying cause of death. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd -icd10 -provisional.html on June 5, 2024 
Note: Estimates of pediatric influenza deaths reported to CDC can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm . Estimates will vary due to differences in reporting methods and timeframes used. 8 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
    Variant Predominant Period Dates Number of MIS-C Incidence per 1,000,000 Median 
Cases person -months (95% CI) Age (IQR), 
years 
Pre-Delta Oct 15, 2020 –Apr 5, 2021 3,284 6.79 (6.56 –7.03) 9.2 (5.4 –13.1 ) 
Delta Jul 10 –Dec 24, 2021 2,300 4.90 (4.70 –5.10) 9.1 (5.5 –12.3) 
Omicron BA.1/BA 1.1 Jan 1 –Ap 8, 2022 1,149 4.21 (3.98 –4.46) 7.5 (4.1 –11.5) 
Omicron BA.2/BA.4/BA.5 April 9 –Dec 31, 2022 422 0.56 (0.51 –0.62) 5.4 (2.8 –9.8) 
2023 Omicron subvariants Jan 1 –Dec 31, 2023 117 0.11 (0.10 –0.14) 6.9 (3.4 –11.5) 
Cases from 2023 were clinically similar to those with MIS -C illness onset in 2021 -2022 
58% were previously healthy with no underlying medical conditions 
50% required ICU -level care, 34% had shock, and 27% had cardiac dysfunction 
3 deaths 
MISC: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children 9 
▪ Incidence by SARS- CoV-2 variant-predominant periods, defined using surveillance data and allowing  
for 2 weeks to MIS-C onset from when a variant exceeded 50%  circulating lineages 
 
      
 Underlying Medical Conditions among Patients 
Admitted to ICU among Children and Adolescents Ages 
≤17 Years with COVID -19-associated Hospitalization, 
July 2023 –March 2024 
Age category Among all 
hospitalized 
children, % with 
no underlying 
conditions Among those 
admitted to ICU, % 
with no underlying 
conditions 
(n=363) 
Overall ≤17 Years 50% 40% Among those with no 
underlying conditions, 
what % were admitted 
to ICU? 
(n=791) 
18% 
Hospitalizations are limited to those with COVID -19 as the presenting complaint upon admission. 10 
 
  
 
 
 
  
      
      
     
                 
         
          Other pediatric vaccine preventable diseases: Annual hospitalizations 
per 100,000 population prior to vaccine recommendation compared 
to COVID -19 
Hepatitis A1 Varicella2 
(Chickenpox) Vaccine -type 
Invasive 
Pneumococcal 
Disease3 COVID -194 
Age 5–14 years 0–4 years 0–4 years 6 months –<18 years 
Time period 2005 1993 –1995 1998 –1999 2022 –2023 2023 –2024 
Hospitalization 
Burden 
(Annual rate per 
100,000 population) <1 29-42 405 6 months – 
4 years: 74 
5–11 years : 17 
12–17 years: 24 6 months – 
4 years: 50  
5–11 years : 10 
12–17 years: 13 
1 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5603a1.htm 
2Davis MM, Patel MS, Gebremariam A. Decline in varicella -related hospitalizations and expenditures for children and adults after introduction of varicella vacci ne in the United States. Pediatrics. 2004;114(3):786 -792. 
doi:10.1542/peds.2004 -0012 
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Direct and indirect effects of routine vaccination of children with 7 -valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease --United 
States, 1998 -2003. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2005 Sep 16;54(36):893 -7. PMID: 16163262. 
4 COVID -NET data October 2022 – September 2023 and October 2023 – May 2024. COVID -19 rates have not been adjusted for reason for admission. COVID vaccine first introduced in 12 -17 years in May 2021; in 5 -11 
years in November 2021 and in 6 months – 4 years in June 2022 
5 Vaccine -type invasive pneumococcal disease annual rate for children <5 years in 1998 -1999 was 80 per 100,000, of which about 50% were hospitalized. 11 
 
  
 
 
 
      
           
         
        
             
                Pediatric vaccine preventable diseases: Deaths per year in the United 
States prior to vaccine recommendation compared to COVID -19 
Hepatitis A1 Meningococcal 
(ACWY)2 Varicella3 Rubella4 Rotavirus5 COVID -196 
Age <20 years 11–18 years 5–9 years All ages <5 years 6 months –19 years 
Time 
period 1990 –1995 2000 –2004 1990 –1994 1966 –1968 1985 –1991 2023 
Average 
deaths 
per year 3 8 16 17 20 1–4 years : 44 
5–19 years: 81 
1Vogt TM , Wise ME, Bell BP, Finelli L. Declining hepatitis A mortality in the United States during the era of hepatitis A vac cination. J Infect Dis2008; 197:1282 –8. 
2National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System with additional serogroup and outcome data from Enhanced Meningococcal Disea se Surveillance for 2015 -2019. 
3Meyer PA, Seward JF, Jumaan AO, Wharton M. Varicella mortality: trends before vaccine licensure in the United States, 1970 -1994. J Infect Dis. 2000;182(2): 383-390. doi:10.1086/315714 
4Roush SW , Murphy TV; Historical comparisons of morbidity and mortality for vaccine -preventable diseases in the United States. J AMA 2007; 298:2155 –63. 
5 Glass RI, Kilgore PE, Holman RC, et al. The epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhea in the United States: surveillance and estimat es of disease burden. J Infect Dis. 1996 Sep;174 Suppl 1:S5 -11 
6 http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd -icd10 -provisional.html on May 14 2024 . COVID vaccine first introduced in 12 -17 years in May 2021; in 5 -11 years in November 2021 and in 6 months – 4 years in June 2022 12 
Domain Equity Question: 
Does the problem impact all populations equally? 
      Age-adjusted cumulative COVID -19 hospitalizations per 100,000 population 
by race and ethnicity — COVID -NET, October 2023 – May 2024 
CDC COVID Data Tracker. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid -data -tracker/#covidnet -hospitalization -network . Accessed June 20, 2024 14 
 
  
  
 
  Summary 
Public Health Problem 
• COVID -19-associated hospitalizations and deaths occur all year around, but peak in 
December – February 
• COVID -19-associated hospitalizations and deaths are highest in adults aged 75 and older 
• More pediatric hospitalizations and deaths occur each year associated with COVID -19 than 
other select vaccine preventable diseases as the time those recommendations were made 
for children in the United States 
-Among children hospitalized for COVID -19, 50% had no underlying medical conditions 
-Of those, 18% were admitted to the ICU 
• Racial and ethnic differences in COVID -19 hospitalization rates persist 
ICU: Intensive Care Unit 15 
o o o o o o       
    Public Health Problem 
Work Group Interpretation 
Is COVID -19 disease among persons ≥6 months of age of public health 
importance? 
 No Probably no Probably yes  Yes Varies  Don’t know 
EtR Domain: 
Benefits and Harms 
 
 
 
 Summary of available data 
• Benefits and harms of COVID -19 vaccines are based on multiple years of data from 
original, bivalent, and 2023 -2024 formula COVID -19 vaccines 
-GRADE 
• Benefits and harms of updated (bivalent or 2023 -2024) COVID -19 vaccines 
-Available data on GRADE outcomes with no studies captured in systematic review 
-Real -world safety and effectiveness monitoring of the 2023 -2024 vaccines 
-Modeling data on potential impact of 2024 -2025 COVID -19 vaccine 
recommendations 
18 
       
    
    
 GRADE of benefits and harms for 2024 -2025 COVID -19 
vaccine: PICO questions 
Adults and Adolescents Infants and Children (Pediatric) 
Population Persons ages 12 years and older Persons ages 6 months -11 years 
Intervention Updated COVID -19 
vaccine (bivalent or 2023 -2024) Updated COVID -19 
vaccine (bivalent or 2023 -2024) 
Comparison No updated vaccine* No updated vaccine* 
Outcomes 1. Medically -attended COVID -19 (ED/UC 
visits) 
2. Hospitalization due to COVID -19 
3. Death due to COVID -19 
4. Post -COVID Conditions 
5. Specified serious adverse events 1. Medically -attended COVID -19 (ED/UC 
visits) 
2. Hospitalization due to COVID -19 
3. Death due to COVID -19 
4. MIS-C 
5. Post -COVID conditions 
6. Specified serious adverse events 
PICO: Population, intervention, comparison, outcomes;  ED/UC: emergency department/urgent care; MIS -C: multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children 
*May include people who received any number of doses of prior formulations and unvaccinated 
Bolded outcomes are critical; unbolded outcomes are important 19 
GRADE benefits among adolescents and adults: Forest plot and pooled 
VE estimate against medically -attended COVID -19 (ED/UC visits) (n=5) 
 
      
             
               
    
      
 
 
             
a
Notes: 
ED/UC: emergency department/urgent care; VE or vaccine eff.= vaccine effectiveness; CI= confidence intervals ; IV= inverse variance; nr= not reported 
Studies are listed on the y -axis by median days since receipt of an updated dose. Pooled vaccine effectiveness based on a random effects meta -analysis, using adjusted VE estimates on a log 
scale. 
Vaccine effectiveness comparisons included an updated dose (either bivalent or 2023 -2024 formulation) compared to no updated dos e (may include people who received any number of doses of 
prior formulations and unvaccinated, definitions varies by included study). 
a Author, vaccine formulation, and time since vaccination (median or median range) 
*VE estimate among immunocompetent persons only 
All studies are case control studies, 1 study is a pre -print, and 3 studies are manufacturer -funded. 
In sensitivity analyses of pre-prints, manufacturer -funded studies, bivalent vaccine studies, and 2023 -2024 dose studies, the pooled VE point estimates remained stable, and 95% CIs overlapped. 20 
GRADE benefits among adolescents and adults: Forest plot and 
pooled estimate for VE against hospitalization due to COVID -19 
(n=8) 
Notes: 
VE or vaccine eff.= vaccine effectiveness; CI= confidence intervals ; IV= inverse variance; nr= not reported 
Studies are listed on the y -axis by median days since receipt of an updated dose. Pooled VE based on a random effects meta -analysis, using adjusted vaccine effectiveness estimates on a log scale. a 
      
                
                  
    
        
 
     
   
   
                 Vaccine effectiveness comparisons included an updated dose (either bivalent or 2023 -2024 formulation) compared to no updated dos e (may include people who received any number of doses of prior formulations and unvaccinated, 
definitions varies by included study). 
a Author, vaccine formulation, and time since vaccination (median or median range) 
* Estimate among immunocompetent persons only 
**Maximum follow -up time was 105 days 
*** Maximum follow -up time was 112 days 
6 studies are case control studies, 3 studies are cohort studies, 3 studies are pre -prints, and 3 studies are manufacturer -funde d. 
In sensitivity analyses that excluded cohort studies, case control studies, pre -prints, manufacturer funded studies, bivalent va ccines, and 2023 -2024 doses, the pooled VE point estimates remained stable, and 95% CIs overlapped. 21 
GRADE benefits among adolescents and adults: Forest plot and 
pooled VE estimate against death due to COVID -19 (n=3) 
a 
Notes: 
VE or vaccine eff.= vaccine effectiveness; CI= confidence intervals ; IV= inverse variance; nr= not reported  
      
               
                  
    
          
   
    
         
             Studies are listed on the y -axis by median days since receipt of an updated dose. Pooled VE based on a fixed effects meta -analysis, using adjusted vaccine effectiveness estimates on a log scale 
Vaccine effectiveness comparisons included an updated dose (either bivalent or 2023 -2024 formulation) compared to no updated dos e (may include people who received any number of doses of prior formulations and unvaccinated, 
definitions varies by included study). 
a. Author, vaccine formulation, and time since vaccination (median or median range) 
*Maximum follow -up time was 105 days 
** Maximum follow -up time was 112 days 
1 study is a case control study, 2 studies are cohort studies , 1 study is a pre -print , and 1 study is funded by a manufacturer 
In sensitivity analyses of pre-prints and manufacturer -funded studies, the pooled VE point estimates remained stable, and 95% CIs overlapped 
22 
    
 
     
  
  
  
  
    
  
 
  
      
   
       
 Interpreting a GRADE certainty assessment 
• A certainty assessment reflects our confidence that the true effect lies close to the estimated 
effect 
• There are 4 certainty levels: 
• High: We are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimated effect. Randomized controlled trial 
certainty starts here and can be downgraded or upgraded1 . 
• Moderate: We are moderately confident that the true effect lies close to the estimated effect, but there is a possibility 
that it is substantially different. 
• Low: We have limited confidence that the true effect lies close to the estimated effect; the true effect may be 
substantially different from the estimated effect. Observational certainty starts here and can be downgraded or 
upgraded1 . 
• Very low: We have very limited confidence that the true effect lies close to the estimated effect; the true effect is likely 
to be substantially different from the estimated of effect. 
• A certainty assessment does not reflect our confidence in the quality of the individual studies or the 
overall confidence in benefits and harms of the vaccine, which may be informed by additional data 
on benefits and harms. 
1. Evidence type may be downgraded due to risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision or other considerations such as publication bias and upgraded for indications of a dose -response 
gradient, large or very large magnitude of effect, and opposing residual confounding. 23 
Summary of GRADE 
Outcome​ Population  Importance Design Effect Findings​ Final 
(# of studies)  estimate certainty 
(95% CI) assessment 
Benefit  
Adolescent/adult    Updated COVID -19 vaccine prevents hospitalization due t Low 
Hospitalization due 
to COVID -19​Pediatric Critical OBS (8)   VE: 44 (34 -
53)    COVID -19, although the body of evidence in the pediatric 
   population is limited to indirect data from adolescents 
 and adults. Very low 
 Death due to 
COVID -19 Adolescent/adult 
Pediatric Important OBS (3)   VE: 23 (8 -36)     Updated COVID -19 vaccine prevents death due to COVID -
  19, although the body of evidence in the pediatric 
 population is limited to indirect data from adolescents 
 and adults. Low 
Very low 
Post -COVID 
conditions Adolescent/adult 
Pediatric Important OBS (0) -- -
MIS-C Pediatric Important OBS (0) - - -
Harms
Critical -Low 
Very low s
         
    ​
o 
 
ED/UC: emergency department/urgent care; OBS: observational; VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval; MIS -C: multisys tem inflammatory syndrome in children 
Note:  Vast majority of data captured in systematic review are for mRNA vaccines. 24 Medically -attended 
  COVID -19 (ED/UC 
visit) Adolescent/adult 
Pediatric Critical OBS (5) 
OBS (1)   VE: 43 (30 -
54) 
  VE: 80 (42 -
96)      Updated COVID -19 vaccine is effective in preventing 
   medically attended COVID -19 ED/UC visits. Low 
Low 
Specified serious 
adverse events​Adolescent/adult 
Pediatric OBS (2)  In post -authorization safety monitoring, two rare adverse 
   events have been associated with vaccination 
 
  
   
  
    2023 -2024 Formula COVID -19 vaccine effectiveness 
• 2023 -2024 COVID -19 vaccination provided increased protection against symptomatic SARS -CoV-2 infection and COVID -19-associated ED/UC visits and hospitalizations compared to no 2023 -2024 vaccine dose 
• Waning patterns appeared similar to previous COVID -19 vaccine formulations; most durable protection appeared to be for critical illness, though statistical power was lacking in the longest time period since vaccination 
• As with previous COVID -19 vaccine formulations, effectiveness was similar across age groups 
• Receipt of 2023 -2024 COVID -19 vaccine provided protection against JN.1 and other circulating variants, though may be lower than protection provided against XBB sublineage variants 
ED: Emergency department | UC: Urgent care 
25 
  
  
    
 
  
  COVID -19 mRNA vaccination associated with reduced occurrence 
of Post -COVID Conditions (PCC) following SARS -CoV-2 infection 
Among children 5 – 17 years: 
Completion of the original formula 
COVID -19 vaccine series prior to 
infection associated with reduced 
likelihood of symptoms: 
34% for 1 or more PCC symptoms 
47% for respiratory PCC symptoms 
48% for 2 or more PCC symptoms Among adults: 
3 doses of original formula COVID -19 
vaccine prior to infection associated with 
reduced likelihood of symptoms: 
24% for 2 or more PCC symptoms 
27% for cardiovascular/respiratory 
symptoms 
42% for gastrointestinal symptoms 
26% for neurological symptoms 
33% for other non -specific symptoms 
Unpublished data from the HEROES/RECOVER, PROTECT cohorts. 
HEROES Protocol ; RECOVER Protocol ; PROTECT Protocol 26 
  
 
  
 
 
      COVID -19 vaccine effectiveness against Multisystem 
Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS -C) in US 
children ages 5 -18 years old 
• Multicenter case -control public health investigation from July 1, 2021 –April 7, 2022 
• Compared odds of receiving 2 doses of BNT162b2 vaccine ≥28 days before admission between MIS -C 
case -patients and hospital -based controls who tested negative for SARS -CoV-2 
-304 MIS-C case patients ( 92% unvaccinated) 
-502 controls (69% unvaccinated) 
• A lower proportion of vaccinated patents required life 
support or died during period of Delta 
variant predominance 
• One unvaccinated MIS -C case -patient (12 –18 years) 
required ECMO, and 1 unvaccinated patient (5 –11 
years) died 
Zambrano LD, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2022 Aug 4:ciac637 ECMO = extracorporeal membrane oxygenation 
 27 
 
  
 COVID -19 vaccine safety 
• COVID -19 vaccines have a favorable safety profile as demonstrated by 
robust safety surveillance over 3 years of COVID -19 vaccine use 
-Anaphylactic reactions have been rarely reported following receipt of COVID -19 
vaccines 
-Rare risk of myocarditis and pericarditis predominately in males ages 12 -39 years 
• No myocarditis or pericarditis signal in the Vaccine Safety Datalink for the 
2023 -2024 Formula COVID -19 vaccine, however, this may be limited by low 
uptake 
-Reactogenicity symptoms are overall less frequent and severe among older adults 
compared with adolescents and younger adults 
28 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 Longer term impact of vaccine associated myocarditis 
•Vaccine -associated myocarditis is a rare risk of COVID -19 vaccination.
•Acute clinical picture tends to resolve quickly1
-Majority of patients had recovered at 90 days with symptoms improving over time
•Small subset with persistent MRI findings (e.g., late gadolinium
enhancement), with unclear correlation to symptoms2
-Additional follow up is needed to determine the long -term impact of these MRI
findings
1.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352464222002449?via%3Dihub
2.https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4681858#:~:text=Interpretation%3A%20COVID%2D19%20vaccine%2D,continued%20s urveillance%20in%20C%2DVAM
MRI: magnetic resonance imaging 29 
 
  
        
  
       
         
 
   
 
    
    
   
  Summary of the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) Rapid 
Cycle Analysis for the 2023 -2024 COVID -19 vaccine 
• The VSD identified two statistical signals for mRNA COVID -19 vaccines during the 2023 -2024 season 
-Guillain -Barré syndrome (GBS) following Pfizer COVID -19 vaccine among people aged ≥65 years 
• An association between mRNA COVID -19 vaccines and GBS had not been observed prior to this season in 
VSD or other systems 
• The increased rate ratio observed during the 2023 -2024 season may or may not represent a true risk 
• If there is a true risk, it is estimated to be similar to what is considered acceptable for other adult vaccines 
-Ischemic stroke following Moderna (aged ≥65 years) and Pfizer (aged 50 -64 years) COVID -19 vaccines 
• The VSD previously observed a statistical signal for ischemic stroke during 2022 -2023 for bivalent Pfizer 
COVID -19 vaccine (aged ≥65 years) 
• Available data do not provide clear and consistent evidence of a safety problem for ischemic stroke with 
mRNA COVID 19 vaccines 
• No other new or unexpected safety concerns were identified for the 2023 -2024 COVID -19 vaccines 
• Any real or theoretical risks of vaccine adverse events need to be placed in the context of the benefits 
of COVID -19 vaccines in preventing COVID -19 and its potentially serious complications 30 
   
   
 
 
  
  
  
          
      
             
          
 Models of potential impact of different 2024 -2025 
COVID -19 vaccine recommendations 
• Assumptions of COVID -19 Scenario Modeling Hub Round 18 
• Six scenarios focusing on three vaccine recommendation scenarios under high and 
low rates1 of immune escape 
-No vaccine recommendation2 vs recommendation only for persons at high -risk vs 
universal recommendation 
-High -risk defined as those ages ≥ 65 years and those with underlying conditions3 
• Vaccine uptake assumptions based on 2023 -2024 COVID -19 vaccine coverage4 
• Assumes vaccine available on September 1st with 75% VE against hospitalization 
-Constant rate of immune escape and waning applied starting September 1st 
• Models projected 1 year into the future 
1. Low immune escape occurs at a constant rate of 20% per year and high immune escape occurs at a constant rate of 50% per year 
2. The no vaccine recommendation scenario allowed for naïve children aging into eligibility to be vaccinated 
3. Ko JY, Danielson ML, Town M, et al. Risk Factors for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID -19)–Associated Hospitalization: COVID -19–Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance 
System. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2021;72(11):e695 -e703. doi:10.1093/ cid/ciaa1419 
4. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz -managers/coverage/covidvaxview/index.html . Assumption of approximately 21% of adults, 39% of those ≥65 years, 32% of those with underlying conditions 
VE: vaccine effectiveness 31 
Universal vaccine recommendations projected to prevent about 
30,000 more hospitalizations over the next year compared with 
a risk -based recommendation 
Recommendation 
Type1Percent prevented (95% CI) Total prevented (95% CI) 
Universal v. None 
High -Risk v. None 
Universal v. High -Risk   
 
          
 
1.None = no vaccine recommendation; High -risk = recommended for those ages ≥ 65 years and those with underlying conditions; Uni versal = universal vaccine recommendation 32 
Domain Equity Question: 
Are the desirable and undesirable anticipated effects demonstrated across 
all populations equally? 
 
 
 
  
 
 Are the desirable and undesirable anticipated effects 
demonstrated across all populations equally? 
• There is no evidence to suggest that COVID -19 vaccine effectiveness 
varies substantially by race/ethnicity1,2 
-Differences in vaccine hesitancy/uptake, crowding, access to care, and prior 
infection could impact vaccine effectiveness and these factors may also differ by 
race/ethnicity 
• There is no evidence to suggest that COVID -19 vaccine safety profiles vary by 
race/ethnicity, however risk has been shown to differ by age and sex 
-Risk for myocarditis is highest in adolescent and young adult males 
• Benefits and harms for the U.S. population are best assessed when clinical trial and 
study populations are optimally representative of the U.S. population 
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9619452/ 
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9763212/ 34 
 
  
 
  
 Summary 
Benefits and Harms 
• 2023 -2024 COVID -19 vaccine is effective in preventing ED/UC visits and preventing 
severe outcomes related to COVID -19 (e.g., hospitalization, death); waning of 
immunity is expected 
• COVID -19 vaccines continue to have a favorable safety profile as 
demonstrated by robust safety surveillance over 3 years of COVID -19 vaccine use 
-Ischemic stroke and GBS signals in the VSD are not clear or consistent, and 
are seen in the age groups (adults ≥ 50 years and adults ≥ 65 years, 
respectively) with the highest burden of disease that would benefit the most from 
updated COVID -19 vaccination 
• Modeling projects more hospitalization averted when 2024 -2025 COVID -19 vaccines 
are universally recommended compared to no recommendation or recommended 
only for those at high risk 
VSD: Vaccine Safety Datalink | GBS: Guillain -Barre Syndrome 35 
 
 
 Benefits and Harms 
How substantial are the desirable anticipated effects? 
• How substantial are the anticipated effects for each main outcome for 
which there is a desirable effect? 
o o o o o o    Minimal  Small Moderate  Large Varies  Don’t know 
o o o o o o   
 
  Benefits and Harms 
How substantial are the undesirable anticipated effects? 
• How substantial are the anticipated effects for each main outcome for 
which there is an undesirable effect? 
 Minimal  Small  Moderate  Large Varies  Don’t know 
 Benefits and Harms 
Do the desirable effects outweigh the undesirable effects? 
• What is the balance between the desirable effects relative to the 
undesirable effects? 
oFavors intervention (2024 – 2025 Formula COVID -19 vaccine) 
oFavors comparison (no vaccine) 
oFavors both 
oFavors neither 
oUnclear 
 EtR Domain: 
Values 
     
    
   1 in 5 Americans now say COVID -19 is a major threat 
to public health 
% of U.S. adults who say COVID -19 is a major threat to the health 
of the U.S. population 
80 
47 66 64 67 65 63 61 
57 
41 
20 
20 30 40 50 60 70 
10 
0 
Mar '20 Mar '20 Apr '20 Jul '20 Nov '20 Feb '21 Aug '21 Jan '22 May '22 Feb '24 
Pew Research Center. March 7, 2024. How Americans View the Coronavirus, COVID -19 Vaccines Amid Declining Levels of Concern. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2024/03/07/how -americans -view -the-
coronavirus -covid -19-vaccines -amid -declining -levels -of-concern/ Accessed April 23, 2024 40 
   
    
     
  
 
    
  Concern about risk of COVID -19 by age, February 2024 
% of U.S. adults who say they are very/somewhat concerned that they… 
Survey conducted among 10,133 U.S. adults from February 7 -11, 2024. 
Pew Research Center. March 7, 2024. How Americans View the Coronavirus, COVID -19 Vaccines Amid Declining Levels of Concern. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2024/03/07/how -americans -view -the-
coronavirus -covid -19-vaccines -amid -declining -levels -of-concern/ Accessed April 23, 2024 12 14 10 16 
29 26 28 28 
0 10 20 30 40 50 65+ 50-6430-2918-29Age, years Might unknowingly spread 
COVID -19 to others 
very concerned Somewhat concerned 11 11 8 10 
21 18 14 16 
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 65+ 50-6430-4918-29Age, years Will get COVID -19 and 
require hospitalization 
Very concerned Somewhat concerned 
41 
    
   
     
         
   
  Key attitudes and experiences among parents of children 6 months -17 years, December 2023 
National Immunization Survey -Child COVID -19 Module (NIS -CCM) 
COVID -19 Vaccination Key Attitudes and Experiences by Age Group Among Parents of Children Ages 
6 Months -17 Years, NIS -CCM, December 2023 
80 
30 35 51 
28 39 56 
30 57 69 
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Percent 
Moderately or very concerned about child getting COVID-19 Confidence that COVID-19 vaccine is very or completely safe for Confidence that COVID-19 vaccine is somewhat or very 
disease child important to protect child 
6 months - 4 years 5 - 11 years 12 - 17 years 
The December estimates are based on data collected November 26 through December 30, 2023. 
CDC. COVID -19 Vaccination Coverage and Vaccine Confidence Among Children. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz -managers/coverage/covidvaxview/interactive/children.html Accessed April 30, 2024 42 
 
 
   
             
  Key attitudes and experiences among adults 18 years and older, April 2024 
National Immunization Survey -Adult COVID Module (NIS -ACM) 
COVID -19 Vaccination Key Attitudes and Experiences by Age Group Among Adults Ages ≥18 
Years, NIS -ACM, April 2024 
80 
21 51 64 
30 55 65 
35 63 74 
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Percent 
Very or moderately concerned about COVID-19 disease Confidence COVID-19 vaccine is very or completely safe Confidence that COVID-19 vaccine is somewhat or very 
important to protect me 
18 - 49 years 50 - 64 years 65+ years 
The April estimates are based on data collected April 1 through April 27, 2024. 
CDC.COVID -19 Vaccination Coverage and Vaccine Confidence Among Adults. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz -managers/coverage/covidvaxview/interactive/adults.html Accessed May 30, 2024 43 
 
 EtR Domain: 
Is there important variability in how patients or populations value the 
outcome? 
  
 
     
        
   Key attitudes and experiences among parents of children 6 months -17 years, 
December 2023 
National Immunization Survey -Child COVID -19 Module (NIS -CCM) 
COVID -19 Vaccination Key Attitudes and Experiences by Race & Ethnicity Among Parents of 
Children Ages 6 Months -17 Years, NIS -CCM, December 2023 
80 
33 47 68 
23 45 51 
43 
40 70 
30 44 67 
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Percent Hispanic 
White, non-Hispanic 
Black, non-Hispanic 
Other or multiple races, non-Hispanic 
Moderately or very concerned about child getting 
COVID-19  disease Confidence COVID-19 vaccine is very or completely 
safe for  child Confidence that COVID-19 vaccine is somewhat or 
very important to protect child 
The December estimates are based on data collected November 26 through December 30, 2023. 
CDC. COVID -19 Vaccination Coverage and Vaccine Confidence Among Children. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz -managers/coverage/covidvaxview/interactive/children.html Accessed April 30, 2024 45 
  
   
    
           
  Key attitudes and experiences among adults 18 years and older, April 2024 
National Immunization Survey -Adult COVID Module (NIS -ACM) 
COVID -19 Vaccination Key Attitudes and Experiences by Race & Ethnicity Among Adults Age ≥18 Years, NIS -ACM, April 2024 
AI/AN: American Indian or Alaska Native; NH/PI: Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 
The April estimates are based on data collected April 1 through April 27, 2024. 
CDC.COVID -19 Vaccination Coverage and Vaccine Confidence Among Adults. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz -managers/coverage/covidvaxview/interactive/adults.html Accessed May 30, 202422 49 73 
26 56 63 
35 50 74 
29 64 85 
20 48 78 
31 39 52 
28 55 65 
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 
Very or moderately concerned about COVID-19 
disease Confidence that COVID-19 vaccine is very or 
completely safe Confidence that COVID-19 vaccine is somewhat 
or very important to protect me Percent Hispanic 
White, non-Hispanic 
Black, non-Hispanic 
Asian, non-Hispanic 
NH/PI, non-Hispanic 
AI/AN, non-Hispanic 
Other or multiple races, non-Hispanic 
46 
   
    
      
  
 
   
  Concern about risk of COVID -19 by race and ethnicity, 
February 2024 
% of U.S. adults who say they are very/somewhat concerned that they… 
White 5 
Black 
Hispanic 
Asian 
0 Will get COVID -19 and 
require hospitalization 
15 
20 
16 22 
18 18 
10 20 30 
Very concerned Somewhat concerned 23 
40 50 White 8 
Black 
Hispanic 
Asian 
0 Might unknowingly spread 
COVID -19 to others 
27 
24 27 
18 31 
20 34 
10 20 30 40 50 
Very concerned Somewhat concerned 60 
Survey conducted among 10,133 U.S. adults from February 7 -11, 2024. 
Pew Research Center. March 7, 2024. How Americans View the Coronavirus, COVID -19 Vaccines Amid Declining Levels of Concern. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2024/03/07/how -americans -view -the-
coronavirus -covid -19-vaccines -amid -declining -levels -of-concern/ Accessed April 23, 2024 47 
   
    
      
  
 
   
  Concern about risk of COVID -19 by income, 
February 2024 
% of U.S. adults who say they are very/somewhat concerned that they… 
Survey conducted among 10,133 U.S. adults from February 7 -11, 2024. 
Pew Research Center. March 7, 2024. How Americans View the Coronavirus, COVID -19 Vaccines Amid Declining Levels of Concern. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2024/03/07/how -americans -view -the-
coronavirus -covid -19-vaccines -amid -declining -levels -of-concern/ Accessed April 23, 2024 19 10 9 
27 27 29 
0 10 20 30 40 50 Lower income Middle income Upper income Might unknowingly spread 
COVID -19 to others 
Very concerned Somewhat concerned 17 7 5 
21 16 11 
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Lower income Middle income Upper income Will get COVID -19 and 
require hospitalization 
Very concerned Somewhat concerned 
48 
 
  
 
   
  Summary 
Values 
• Approximately 30% of parents of children ages 6 months – 17 years reported 
concern about their child getting COVID -19, but confidence in COVID -19 vaccine 
safety and vaccine importance was highest among parents of adolescents 
• Adults ages 65 years and older were more concerned about COVID -19 disease and 
had higher confidence in vaccine safety and vaccine importance than those <65 
years 
• Racial and ethnic minority groups, older adults, and those with lower incomes are 
more concerned about getting COVID -19 than other groups 
49 
o o o o o o  Minimal  Small  Moderate Large  Varies  Don’t know  
 
  
  Values 
Criteria 1: 
Do persons ≥6 months of age feel that the desirable effects are large relative 
to undesirable effects? 
• How do persons ≥6 months of age view the balance of desirable versus 
undesirable effects? 
• Would persons ≥6 months of age feel that the benefits outweigh the 
harms? 
  
o
o
oo
o 
 
  
 Values 
Criteria 2: 
Is there important uncertainty about, or variability in, how persons ≥6 
months of age value the main outcomes? 
• Is there evidence that the variability is large enough to lead to different 
decisions? 
Majority opinion
Minority opinion Important uncertainty or variability 
Probably important uncertainty or variability 
Probably not important uncertainty or variability 
No important uncertainty or variability 
No known undesirable outcomes 
  EtR Domain: 
Acceptability 
Declining share of Americans have the most up -to-
date level of protection against COVID -19 
% of U.S. adults who report that they are up to date with COVID -19 vaccines 
80 Nov. 2021 
All U.S. adults eligible for COVID -19 First booster dose Sept. 2022 vaccination 69 authorized for all eligible Bivalent vaccine is authorized 70 U.S. adults 
Sept. 2023 
Updated (2023 -2024) vaccines 60 
are approved/authorized 
48
    
    
         
  
 
  
 
 
 
50 
40 34 
2830 
20 
10 
0 
Apr '21 Aug '21 Jan '22 Mar '23 Feb '24 
Survey conducted among 10,133 U.S. adults from February 7 -11, 2024. 
Pew Research Center. How Americans View the Coronavirus, COVID -19 Vaccines Amid Declining Levels of Concern. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2024/03/07/how -
americans -view -the-coronavirus -covid -19-vaccines -amid -declining -levels -of-concern/ Accessed April 23, 2024 53 
   
 
      
          
       
 Percent of adults and children who received 2023 -24 COVID -19 vaccine 
National Immunization Survey -Adult COVID Module (NIS -ACM) and -Child COVID Module (NIS -CCM) 
September 2023 -April 2024 
COVID -19 Vaccination Coverage with 2023 -24 Vaccine COVID -19 Vaccination Coverage with 2023 -24 Vaccine 
Among Adults ≥18 Years, NIS-ACM Among Children 6 Months -17 Years, NIS -CCM Vaccinated with 2023 -24 COVID -19 vaccine (%) 50 
40 
30 
20 
10 
0 
9/30/23 10/31/23 11/30/23 12/31/23 1/31/24 2/29/24 3/31/24 4/30/24 
Week end date All adults 18+ 
75+ 
65-74
50-64
40-49
30-39
18-2950 
40 
30 
20 
10 
0 
9/30/23 10/31/23 11/30/23 12/31/23 1/31/24 2/29/24 3/31/24 4/30/24 
Week end date Vaccinated with 2023 -24 COVID -19 vaccine (%) 
All children 6m-17y 
12-17y
5-11y
6m-4y 
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz -managers/coverage/covidvaxview/index.html 54 
Intent to get 2024 -25 COVID -19 vaccine among adults ≥18 years of age, by 
demographics,* Omnibus Surveys, May 2 -26, 2024 (N=4,276) 
Definitely will get Definitely will not Probably will Probably will not Unsure 
Overall (N=4,276) 
Male (N=2,080) 
Female (N=2,196) 
Age 18-49 (N=2,146) 
Age 50-64 (N=1,088) 
Age 65+ (N=1,042) 
hite, non-Hispanic (N=2,837) 
Black, non-Hispanic (N=494) 
Hispanic (N=621) 
Other, non-Hispanic (N=324) 23.6 14.3    
      
 23.3 13.2 
20.6 20.9 26.0 23.9 15.4 
39.2 16.9 12.3 15.5 
10.8 36.3 
35.6 
20.9 
13.5 13.9 36.1 
19.6 12.4 23.2 
18.6 11.9 31.7 
17.1 18.0 23.4 13.7 32.6 
31.9 
33.3 14.4 
13.1 Inco
Insured (N=3,645) 
Uninsured (N=301) 25.3 22.7 21.2 20.4 13.1 
16.1 20.1 
15.7 
14.5 16.6 15.7 
13.7   
  
 
  
 10.9 
15.7 
11.9 
14.4 $50,000- $74,999 (N=805) Suburban (N=2,008) 
Rural (N=750) 
me $24,999 or less (N=512) 
$25,000- $49,999 (N=775) Urban (N=1,518) 
$75,000+ (N=2,184) 
Northeast (N=669) 
Midwest (N=1,070) 
South (N=1,474) 
West (N=1,063) 13.5 
14.0 
15.1 16.7 
14.7 
13.7 27.6 
32.1 
43.7 
14.7 
15.0 
12.7 
13.8 26.3 21.8 23.3 23.2 14.6 
14.6 15.4 
12.8 
18.4 17.1 14.8 
13.2 26.3 16.0 
24.2 15.0 
15.6 11.8 
35.6 
31.4 
33.0 
32.1 
32.1 
32.3 
35.6 
28.3 
24.8 
12.8 14.4 
12.1 15.8 
15.1 13.0 
19.5 31.9 
40.6 
0 25 50 75 100 
Weighted % 18.3 22.3 24.6 23.4 14.8 15.4 
14.6 
15.0 14.5 
16.3 
12.7 
12.1 
18.8 16.3 13.6 
0 25 50 75 100 
Weighted % W 
 
                
      
         
          *NORC and Ipsos base urbanicity on different, but comparable measures. NORC uses Census tract -based RUCA (Rural -Urban -Commuting Area) codes, whereas Ipsos uses Office of Management and Budget's CBSA (Core Based Statistical Area) classification. †Insured group includes 
plans purchased through employer, insurance companies, marketplaces, military insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, VA, IHS, and "ot her". 
Omnibus Surveys: Data for this analysis were collected through the Ipsos KnowledgePanel and NORC AmeriSpeak Omnibus Surveys, which use probability -based panels to survey a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged 18 
years and older. CDC fields questions about vaccination status, intent, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors on each survey for 2 waves each month, for a combined sample size of ~4,000 respondents. 55 
Intent to get an annual COVID -19 vaccine among adults ≥18 years of age, by 
demographics,* Omnibus Surveys, May 2 -26, 2024 (N=4,270) 
Overall (N=4,270) 
Male (N=2,079) 
Female (N=2,191) 
Age 18-49 (N=2,142) 
Age 50-64 (N=1,087) 
Age 65+ (N=1,041) 
ite, non-Hispanic (N=2,834) 
lack, non-Hispanic (N=492) 
Hispanic (N=620) 
ther, non-Hispanic (N=324) 35.5 
35.9 
30.1 
34.7 
Urban (N=1,519) 
Suburban (N=2,003) 
Rural (N=748) 37.0  
    
      
  
 36.1 
25.2 
0 Every year Some yea Never 
34.5 23.9 
34.6 
34.4 23.4 
24.4 
24.7 
35.9 
55.6 28.8 
21.1 41.6 I   
 
  
 ncome $24,999 or less (N=508) 
$25,000- $49,999 (N=776) 
$50,000- $74,999 (N=805) 
$75,000+ (N=2,181) 
Northeast (N=669) 
Midwest (N=1,068) 
South (N=1,469) 
West (N=1,064) 27.9 
33.9 
34.0 
36.7 45.8 
41.9 
42.2 
40.2 26.3 
24.2 
23.9 
23.1 
36.0 
33.1 
32.0 
38.6 40.7 
42.7 
44.5 
36.7 23.3 
24.2 
23.5 
24.7 
36.1 
18.5 40.2 
59.8 23.7 
21.7 Insured (N=3,635) 
Uninsured (N=302) 
0 25 50 75 100 
Weighted % 42.0 
41.3 
46.5 
43.0 
28.9 15.5 
45.0 19.5 
33.5 
41.0 28.9 
30.8 30.6 
34.5 
26.4 
22.8 36.6 
41.0 
21.8 53.0 
25 50 75 100 
Weighted % Wh
B
O 
                
      
         
          rs 
*NORC and Ipsos base urbanicity on different, but comparable measures. NORC uses Census tract -based RUCA (Rural -Urban -Commuting Area) codes, whereas Ipsos uses Office of Management and Budget's CBSA (Core Based Statistical Area) classification. †Insured group includes 
plans purchased through employer, insurance companies, marketplaces, military insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, VA, IHS, and "ot her". 
Omnibus Surveys: Data for this analysis were collected through the Ipsos KnowledgePanel and NORC AmeriSpeak Omnibus Surveys, which use probability -based panels to survey a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged 18 
years and older. CDC fields questions about vaccination status, intent, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors on each survey for 2 waves each month, for a combined sample size of ~4,000 respondents. 56 
    
             
  
 
   
  Key attitudes and experiences among parents of children 6 months -17 years, 
December 2023 -National Immunization Survey -Child COVID Module (NIS -CCM) 
Reason for Not Getting the COVID -19 Vaccine Among Respondents with 
Unvaccinated Children Ages 6 Months -17 Years, NIS -CCM, December 2023 
Concerned about side effects 
COVID-19 vaccine is ineffective 
Child unlikely to get very sick from COVID-19 
Child unlikely to get COVID-19 
Don't like needles or shots 
Hard to get to vaccination site/sites not open at convenient times 
COVID-19 vaccine costs too much 2 2 17 21 56 58 88 
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 
Percent 
The December estimates are based on data collected November 26 through December 30. 
CDC. COVID -19 Vaccination Coverage and Vaccine Confidence Among Children. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz -managers/coverage/covidvaxview/interactive/children.html Accessed April 30, 202457 
     
           
  
   
  
    
 
 Key attitudes and experiences among parents of children ages 6 months through 17 
years, December 2023 -National Immunization Survey -Child COVID Module (NIS -CCM) 
COVID -19 Vaccination Key Attitudes and Experiences by Age Group Among 
Parents of Children Ages 6 Months –17 Years, NIS -ACM, December 2023 
28 27 28 
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 
Healthcare provider recommended I get a 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine Percent6 months –4 years 
5–11 years 
12–17 years 
The December estimates are based on data collected November 26 through December 30 2023. 
CDC. COVID -19 Vaccination Coverage and Vaccine Confidence Among Children. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz -managers/coverage/covidvaxview/interactive/children.html Accessed May 30, 2024 58 
  
 
   
 
   
 Key attitudes and experiences among adults 18 years and older, April 2024 
National Immunization Survey-Adult COVID Module (NIS-ACM) 
COVID-19 Vaccination Key Attitudes and Experiences by Age Group 
Among Adults Age ≥18 Years, NIS -ACM, April 2024 
100 
90 
80 
70 
60 
18 - 49 years 
50 50 - 64 years 
65+ years 40 
Healthcare provider recommended I get a 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine Percent 
17 24 27 
0 10 20 30 
   
        The April estimates are based on data collected April 1 through April 27. 
CDC.COVID -19 Vaccination Coverage and Vaccine Confidence Among Adults. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz -managers/coverage/covidvaxview/interactive/adults.html Accessed May 30, 2024 59 
    
  
  
  
 
    
  
   
 
  
         
      
 Top COVID -19 vaccination concerns and issues among 
adults ≥18 years Omnibus Surveys, January 5 -29, 2024 
• Among those that reported they received the 2023 -2024 COVID -19 vaccine or definitely would: 
-The majority had no concerns or issues with COVID -19 vaccination 
• 67% in aged 18 -59 years; 83% in aged ≥60 years 
• Among those that reported that they probably would receive the 2023 -2024 COVID -19 vaccine or were unsure: 
-Unknown serious side effects and too busy or kept forgetting were the most commonly reported issues for 
those 18 -59 years old 
-Effectiveness and unknown serious side effects were the most commonly reported issues for those ≥60 years 
• Among those that reported that they probably/definitely would not get the 2023 -2024 vaccine: 
-Unknown serious side effects, not enough studies, and distrust of government/pharma were the most 
frequently reported concerns 
Source: CDC, unpublished data 
Omnibus Surveys: Data for this analysis were collected through the Ipsos KnowledgePanel and NORC AmeriSpeak Omnibus Surveys, which use probability -based panels to survey a nationally representative 
sample of U.S. adults aged 18 years and older. CDC fields questions about vaccination status, intent, knowledge, attitudes, b eliefs, and behaviors on each survey for 2 waves each month, for a combined 
sample size of ~4,000 respondents. 60 
 Domain Equity Question: 
Is the intervention equally acceptable across all populations? 
  
 
 
  
  
       Is the intervention equally acceptable across all 
populations for children? 
Among children ages 6 months – 17 years responding to the NIS -CCM during April 1 – 
27, 2024: 
• Vaccination coverage differed by race/ethnicity 
-Coverage was highest among White, non -Hispanic children and lowest among 
Black, non -Hispanic children 
• Vaccination coverage was higher in urban/suburban areas compared with rural areas 
• Children covered by private health insurance had higher vaccination coverage than 
children who were uninsured or covered by Medicaid 
• Vaccination coverage increased with increasing household income 
CDC. COVID -19 Vaccination Coverage and Vaccine Confidence Among Children. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz -managers/coverage/covidvaxview/interactive/children.html Accessed May 24, 2024 62 
 
 
 
 
 
         
 Is the intervention equally acceptable across all 
populations for adults? 
Among adults ages ≥18 years responding to the NIS -ACM during April 1 – 27, 2024: 
• Vaccination coverage differed by race/ethnicity 
-Coverage was highest among White, non -Hispanic adults and lowest among 
American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander adults 
• Vaccination coverage was higher in urban/suburban areas compared with rural areas 
• Adults with health insurance had significantly higher vaccination coverage than 
adults without insurance 
• Vaccination coverage increased with increasing household income 
CDC. COVID -19 Vaccination Coverage and Vaccine Confidence Among Adults. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz -managers/coverage/covidvaxview/interactive/adults.html Accessed May 24, 2024 63 
  
 
 
 
 Summary 
Acceptability 
• Vaccine coverage with at least 1 dose of 2023 -2024 COVID -19 vaccine was 
approximately 20% in adults aged ≥ 18 years 
-From August 2021 to February 2024, the percentage of adults who report being 
up to date with COVID -19 vaccination has decreased from 69% to 28% 
• Concern about side effects is the most likely reason for not being vaccinated 
• Less than 30% of people report having received a healthcare provider 
recommendation for the 2023 -2024 COVID -19 vaccine 
• COVID -19 vaccine coverage varies by age, race and ethnicity, metropolitan statistical 
area, insurance status and household income 
64 
o o o o o o       
 
 
  Acceptability 
Would recommending a dose of the 2024 – 2025 Formula COVID -19 vaccine 
for persons ≥6 months of age be acceptable to key stakeholders? 
• Are there key stakeholders that would not accept the distribution of 
benefits and harms? 
• Are there key stakeholders that would not accept the undesirable effects 
in the short term for the desirable effects (benefits) in the future? 
 No  Probably no  Probably yes Yes  Varies  Don’t know 
Majority opinion Minority opinion 
EtR Domain: 
Feasibility 
  
   
   
 
 
  
  
 
   
 Feasibility of vaccine implementation 
• No substantial clinical consideration changes expected 
– Supporting tools and documents from 2023 -2024 vaccine will not need to be significantly 
revised or reprogrammed, but COVID -19 vaccine recommendations remain complex 
• There will continue to be single dose presentations and minimum order quantities 
– Moderna 
• ≥6 months: manufacturer -prefilled syringes (10 -pack) 
– Novavax 
• ≥ 12 years: manufacturer -prefilled syringes (10 -pack) 
– Pfizer -BioNTech 
• ≥ 12 years: manufacturer -prefilled syringes (10 -pack) 
• 5 – 11 years: single dose vial (10 -pack) 
• 6 months – 4 years: 3 -dose multi -dose vial (10 -pack) 
• Preparation has not changed 
– Moderna and Novavax vaccines require no dilution 
– Pfizer -BioNTech vaccine requires dilution for 6 month – 4 year formulation 
CDC, Immunization Services Division, internal planning documents 67 
 
 
  
 
 
 
   Storage and handling 
• Moderna: Frozen until expiration; 30 days at refrigerator storage 
• Novavax: Refrigerator storage (stable at 2 -8°C ) 
• Pfizer -BioNTech 
– Prefilled syringes (≥12 years): Refrigerator storage (2 -8°C), never frozen 
– Vials (6 months – 11 years): Ultra -cold storage until expiration; 10 weeks at 
refrigerator storage; use within 12 hours of dilution 
• Ultra -cold storage continues to be a challenge; most provider offices do not 
have a unit 
CDC, Immunization Services Division, internal planning documents 68 
 
   
 
        
 
 Barriers to implementation 
• Increasingly complex routine vaccination schedule, which includes immunization 
products for three viral respiratory diseases1 
– Need more storage space to store all recommended immunization products 
– Increased need for education across vaccination provider types 
– More opportunities for vaccine administration errors 
• Financial burden for healthcare practices with costly vaccine and low demand and 
for uninsured and underinsured with the end of the Bridge Access Program2 
• Fewer primary care practices carry COVID -19 vaccine potentially introducing barriers 
to access, particularly for those with difficulty traveling to another location 
for vaccination 
1. COVID -19 vaccine, Influenza vaccine, RSV vaccine, and Nirsevimab , a long -acting monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention in infants 
2. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/index.html 
CDC, Immunization Services Division, internal planning documents 69 
 Domain Equity Question: 
Is the intervention equally feasible to implement across all populations? 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  COVID -19 vaccine access 
• 
-
• 
-Free updated COVID -19 vaccines are available to most people living in the U.S. 
through their private health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid plans 
Eligible children are able to receive COVID -19 vaccines through the existing 
Vaccines for Children (VFC) program 
However, there are 25 -30 million adults without health insurance and additional 
adults whose insurance does not cover all COVID -19 vaccination costs 
Bridge Access Program1, which provides free updated COVID -19 vaccines to adults 
without health insurance and adults whose health insurance does not cover all 
COVID -19 vaccine costs , will end in August 2024, which will result in inequities in 
vaccine access 
1. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/index.html 71 
  
 
 
  
 
 
    
 
  Summary 
Feasibility 
• The 2024 – 2025 COVID -19 vaccine will continue to consist of single dose vial 
presentations and smaller minimum order quantities 
-Storage and handling requirements will remain the same as well 
• The increasingly complex routine vaccination schedule, which includes 
immunizations for three seasonal viral respiratory diseases, presents potential 
barriers to implementation such as limited storage space due to more vaccines, 
more opportunities for vaccine administration errors and the need for increased 
education among vaccine providers 
• Vaccines will continue to be accessible; however, the end of the temporary Bridge 
Access Program will result in decreased vaccine access for underserved populations 
72 
     
 
    
 
  
    Feasibility 
Is the 2024 – 2025 Formula COVID -19 vaccine feasible to implement among 
persons ≥6 months of age? 
• Is the 2024 – 2025 Formula COVID -19 vaccine program sustainable? 
• Are there barriers that are likely to limit the feasibility of implementing the 
2024 – 2025 Formula COVID -19 vaccine or require considerations when 
implementing it? 
• Is access to the 2024 – 2025 Formula COVID -19 vaccine an important 
concern? 
o o o o o  o Yes   No Probably no Probably yes  Varies Don’t know 
EtR Domain: 
Resource Use 
 
   Incremental cost -effectiveness ratios, societal 
perspective, per 1000 people -preliminary estimates 
QALY: quality -adjusted life year 75 
Domain Equity Question: 
Is the intervention a reasonable and efficient allocation of resources 
across all populations? 
 
  
          
          
             
    Scenario analysis: probability of hospitalization, 
ICER ($/QALY) -preliminary estimates 
*Base case probability of h ospitalization: 5-11 years: 0 .000133; 12-17 years: 0.000181; 18 -49 years: 0.000443; 50 -64 years: 0.001550; 65+
years 0.007900
**Adjusted risk of hospitalization for underlying condition: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 0.9, history of stroke: 0 .9, coronary artery
disease: 1.3, asthma: 1.4, hypertension: 2.8, obesity: 2.9, diabetes: 3.2, chronic kidney disease: 4.0, severe obesity: 4.4. Ko et al 2021.
ICER : incremental cost-effectiveness ratio; QALY: Quality -adjusted life year
77 
   
   
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 Summary 
Resource Use 
• Base case ICERs ranged from $23,308 in adults aged ≥65 years to $212,225 in adults aged 18 -49 years 
• Cost -effectiveness estimates in those ages ≥65 years were robust to input changes across plausible 
ranges 
• Cost -effectiveness estimates in those 18 -64 years were sensitive to changes in inputs 
-ICERs are more favorable for higher vaccine impact, higher risk of hospitalization, higher quality of 
life impact for symptomatic illness and lower vaccine dose cost 
• Cost -effectiveness estimates for those 5 -17 years were very sensitive to changes in inputs 
-ICERs are more favorable for higher vaccine impact, higher risk of hospitalization, higher quality of 
life impact, higher probability of symptomatic illness and lower vaccine dose cost 
• COVID -19 vaccination is most cost -effective in older adults in which disease burden is highest 
compared to younger adults 
• COVID -19 vaccination is likely more cost -effective in populations with risk factors, such as underlying 
conditions, which increase their probability of hospitalization due to COVID -19 
• ICERs would be more favorable in younger age groups if the cost of vaccination was lower 
ICER: incremental cost -effectiveness ratio 78 
     
 
  
  
  Resource Use  
Is the 2024 – 2025 Formula COVID -19 vaccine in persons ≥6 months of age a 
reasonable and efficient allocation of resources? 
• 
• What is the cost -effectiveness of the 2024 – 2025 Formula COVID -19 
vaccine? 
How does the cost -effectiveness of the 2024 – 2025 Formula COVID -19 
vaccine change in response to changes in context, assumptions, etc.? 
o No o o o o o Probably no  Probably yes  Yes  Varies  Don’t know 
Majority opinion Minority opinion 
Summary and Work Group Interpretations 
   
  
   
 
   
 
   
  
 
    
 Work Group Interpretation 
• COVID -19 burden is currently lower than at previous points in the pandemic, however there are still 
thousands of hospitalizations and hundreds of deaths each week 
• People ages 5 – 49 years had the lowest hospitalization rates compared to other age groups 
-Severe outcomes occur in the youngest ages, including in children with no underlying medical 
conditions 
• Additional studies are needed to understand the VSD statistical signals seen for the 2023 -
2024 COVID -19 vaccine 
-The increased rate of GBS following Pfizer COVID -19 vaccine among people aged ≥65 years may 
or may not represent a true risk. If it is a true risk, the burden of disease in this age group 
is such that the benefit of vaccination still outweighs the risk 
-The VSD statistical signals for ischemic stroke after mRNA COVID -19 vaccines during the 2023 -
2024 season do not provide sufficient evidence to conclude that there is a safety concern and 
a follow up VSD study is in progress 
VSD: Vaccine Safety Datalink | GBS: Guillain -Barre Syndrome 81 
  
 
  
 
  
  
 Work Group Interpretation (cont.) 
• 2023 -2024 COVID -19 vaccine coverage was low, particularly in children 
-Provider recommendation may encourage greater COVID -19 vaccine uptake 
-Would be important to understand why providers are not recommending vaccine, 
in addition to continuing to address inequities in vaccine access 
• High vaccine cost and decreased disease burden has resulted in less 
favorable ICERs for younger age groups 
-The Work Group expressed concern about current ICERs for those <50 years 
-The Work Group noted that while the burden of disease in pediatric age 
groups supported recommending COVID -19 vaccine in these age groups, the high 
cost of vaccine was a concern 
-ICERs in pediatric age groups are sensitive to changes in parameter 
inputs (i.e., uncertain) and are still considered preliminary 
ICER: incremental cost -effectiveness ratio 82 
      
 
 
  
 
 
   
  
  
    
   
             Work Group Interpretation: 
Considerations for Universal Recommendation 
• Work Group began deliberations considering both universal and non -universal policy options, but 
non-universal options had significant implementation challenges 
-Risk based recommendations would not allow access to COVID -19 vaccines for those not in a 
defined risk group 
• The current list of conditions that increase risk of severe illness due to COVID -191 is 
extensive and includes the majority of the US adult population2 
• There are no groups without a risk of severe illness 
-Shared clinical decision (SCDM) making would create barriers to vaccination , may not effectively 
target those at highest risk , and would likely increase inequities in vaccine access 
-COVID -19 epidemiology remains uncertain and universal recommendations would need to be 
considered if there was an unexpected increase in burden following a risk -based or SCDM decision 
• COVID -19 disease burden remains substantial, and consistent recommendations may increase 
coverage over time 
1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019 -ncov/hcp/clinical -care/underlyingconditions.html 
2. Overweight and obesity are considered conditions with conclusive or suggestive evidence of increasing risk and have a combine d prevalence >70%. National Health Statistics Reports; 
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/106273 83 
 
 
 
 
 
 Summary of Work Group Interpretation 
• Benefits of COVID -19 vaccination vary by age and risk status 
-Under a universal recommendation, 2024 -2025 COVID -19 vaccines will be 
available to all persons ages ≥6 months 
-Additional implementation efforts should be targeted toward those that will 
receive the most benefit from COVID -19 vaccination, including people ≥65 years 1 
old, people with underlying conditions1 including immunocompromise, and 
pregnant people to protect themselves and their infants​
• The Work Group will continue to evaluate COVID -19 vaccine policy, including the 
need for a universal recommendation, particularly as COVID -19 epidemiology 
continues to change 
1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019 -ncov/hcp/clinical -care/underlyingconditions.html 84 
   
  
 
 
  
   
   
  
  ​​​
      
  ​​​EtR Domain​​​ ​​Question​ Work Group Judgments 
Public Health Problem​​​Is COVID -19 disease among persons ≥6 months of age of public health 
importance? Yes 
How substantial are the desirable anticipated effects? Moderate / Large 
Benefits and Harms How substantial are the undesirable anticipated effects? Small 
Do the desirable effects outweigh the undesirable effects? Favors intervention 
Do persons ≥6 months of age feel that the desirable effects are large 
relative to undesirable effects? Varies 
Values​​​Is there important uncertainty about, or variability in, how persons ≥6 
months of age value the main outcomes? Probably important uncertainty or 
variability 
Acceptability​​​Would recommending a dose of the 2024 -2025 Formula COVID -19 
vaccine for persons ≥6 months of age be acceptable to key stakeholders? Varies 
Feasibility​​​Is the 2024 -2025 Formula COVID -19 vaccine feasible to implement 
among persons ≥6 months of age? Probably yes / Varies 
Resource Use​Is the 2024 -2025 Formula COVID -19 vaccine in persons ≥6 months of age 
a reasonable and efficient allocation of resources? Probably yes 
85 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 Evidence to Recommendations Framework 
Summary: Work Group Interpretations 
Undesirable Undesirable The balance 
between Desirable Desirable There is 
Balance of 
consequences consequences 
clearly outweigh 
desirable 
consequences consequences 
probably 
outweigh 
desirable desirable and 
undesirable 
consequences 
is closely consequences 
probably 
outweigh 
undesirable consequences 
clearly 
outweigh 
undesirable insufficient 
evidence to 
determine the 
balance of 
in most settings consequences 
in most settings balanced or 
uncertain consequences 
in most settings consequences 
in most settings consequences 
Minority opinion Majority opinion 86 
 Evidence to Recommendations Framework 
Summary: Work Group Interpretations 
We recommend the 
Type of We do not recommend intervention for individuals We recommend the 
recommendation the intervention based on shared clinical intervention 
decision -making 
87 
  ACIP Voting Language 
ACIP recommends 2024 -2025  COVID-19 vaccines as authorized 
or approved by FDA in persons ≥6 months of age 
FDA: Food and Drug Administration 88 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
   
 Acknowledgements 
• Megan Wallace 
• Monica Godfrey 
• Danielle Moulia 
• Katherine Fleming -Dutra 
• Ruth Link -Gelles 
• Sarah Meyer 
• Elisha Hall 
• Jennifer Kriss 
• Kayla Calhoun 
• Kevin Chatham -Stephens 
• Susan Goldstein 
• Mary Chamberland 
• JoEllen Wolicki 
• Lauren Roper 
• Karen Broder • Evelyn Twentyman 
• Angela Campbell 
• Sharon Saydah 
• Matthew Oster 
• Sierra Scarbrough 
• Natalie Thornburg 
• Jefferson Jones 
• Dave Wentworth 
• Aron Hall 
• COVID -NET 
• University of Michigan COVID -19 Vaccination Modeling Team 
• Immunization Safety Office 
• Immunization Services Division 
• Coronavirus and other Respiratory Viruses Division 
• National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases 
89 
 
   
    
 Thank you 
For more information, contact CDC 
1-800-CDC-INFO (232 -4636) 
TTY: 1 -888-232-6348  cdc.gov 
The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position 
of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

GRADE 
  
​
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
     
         Outcomes and importance, and data sources 
Outcome Importancea Data sources 
Benefits 
Medically -attended COVID -
19 (ED/UC visits) Critical Observational studies of vaccine effectiveness in adults/adolescents and 
absolute vaccine effectiveness in pediatrics 
Hospitalization due to COVID -19​ Critical Observational studies of vaccine effectiveness 
Death due to COVID -19 Important Observational studies of vaccine effectiveness 
Post -COVID conditions Important Observational studies of vaccine effectiveness 
MIS-C (pediatric only) Important Observational studies of vaccine effectiveness 
Harms 
Specified serious adverse events​ 
(SAEs) (myocarditis/pericarditis 
and anaphylaxis) Critical Safety surveillance for pre -specified SAEs 
ED/UC: emergency department/urgent care; MIS -C: multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children; 
a. Three options: Critical; Important but not critical; Not important for decision making 
92 
   Evidence retrieval 
Records identified  from 
WHO/IVAC  literature review* 
(n = 310) Additional records identified  through  
other sources 
(n = 3)  
Records screened 
(n = 313) 
Records assessed  for
eligibility 
(n =2 0)  
Records  included  in e vidence 
synthesis  (n =  16) 
13  vaccine effectiveness  studies 
3 safety surveillance  studies Records excluded  from initial review 
(n  =  293) 
211  different country 
31  different outcome 
51  different study period 
Full-text articles excluded 
(n = 4) 
2  different comparator 
2 different study period 
*See https://view -hub.org/resources ; 5/10/2024 cutoff date 93 
           
             
     
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 Evidence retrieval for vaccine effectiveness (VE) data 
▪Inclusion Criteria for IVAC systematic review* ▪Additional criteria for GRADE review 
– Published or preprint study with adequate – Studies relevant to PICO question components – 
scientific details population, intervention, comparator, and 
outcomes – Includes group with and without infection or 
disease outcome – Studies set in the US 
– Laboratory confirmed outcome† – Study period after September 2, 2022 
– Vaccination status confirmed in ≥90% – Vaccines with updated formulation (i.e., bivalent 
or 2023 -2024 vaccine) – Studies assess one vaccine or pooled COVID -19 
vaccines – Included studies of general population and 
special populations (e.g., elderly) – Includes participants who did or did not receive a 
COVID -19 vaccine§ 
– Vaccine effectiveness estimate includes 
confidence intervals if possible¶ 
Articles were eligible for inclusion if published before 5/10/24. *Criteria included in the ongoing systematic review condu cted by the International Vaccine Access Center and the World Health Organization 
(see https://view -hub.org/resources ).  † Estimates of effectiveness against progression from infection disease are excluded § Comparison group is not modelled or historical ¶ Estimate accounts for 
confounding or statement that adjustment had no effect on estimate 94 
 
 
 
 
     Evidence retrieval 
• Observational studies for benefits (vaccine effectiveness) 
-Peer reviewed and preprint articles from IVAC systematic reviewa 
-Restricted to PICO defined population, intervention, comparison, and outcome 
• Safety surveillance for pre -specified serious adverse events for harms 
-Data on established safety concerns identified by vaccine safety surveillance systems 
-Based on input from CDC’s Immunization Safety Office (ISO) 
aArticles were eligible for inclusion if published before 5/10/2024 95 
 
 
     
  
  
 Observational data (n = 16) 
• 16 records identified (one or more PICO outcomes) 
• Assessed risk of bias using Newcastle -Ottawa Scale (9 -point scale) 
-For cohort studies: Selection of cohorts, Comparability of cohorts, Assessment of 
outcome 
-For case -control or test -negative design studies: Selection of cases and controls, 
Comparability of cases and controls, Ascertainment of exposure 
• Two reviewers assessed each study for each outcome 
• Serious limitations identified by score <7 
96 
 
 
 
  
 Pooling vaccine effectiveness estimates 
• For each outcome, assessed body of evidence for suitability for pooling 
-Most representative study selected if multiple studies in same population 
-If the outcomes were measured at multiple timepoints, longest follow -up time 
was taken 
• Vaccine effectiveness comparisons included an updated dose (either 
bivalent or 2023 -2024 formulation) compared to no updated dose (may 
include people who received any number of doses of prior formulations and 
unvaccinated, definitions varies by included study) 
• Meta -analyses conducted 
• Estimates evaluated for heterogeneity 
• Resulting pooled estimates summarize real -world data available at time of 
GRADE analysis 
97 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 Determining the GRADE certainty assessment 
▪Initial evidence type (certainty level) determined by study design 
– Initial evidence high certainty : A body of evidence from randomized controlled 
trials 
– Initial evidence low certainty : A body of evidence from observational studies 
▪Evidence type may be downgraded due to risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, 
and imprecision. Evidence type may be upgraded or downgraded due to other 
considerations including publication bias or indications of dose -response gradient, 
large or very large magnitude of effect, and opposing residual confounding. 
▪Final evidence type may range from high certainty to very low certainty 
98 
Adolescents and adults 
 
   
     
    
   
 
  
 
 
  
   
  
  
  
   
     
   
     
 
   
    
  
 
   
  
  
 
    
 
       
 
   
 
     
 
 
  
  
  
    Benefits: Studies included for VE against medically -attended COVID -19 (ED/UC visits) 
Study Population 
(age group) Method Time period Median days 
since updated 
dose Comparison n/N  or n 
cases/N 
total cases n/N or n 
controls/N 
total controls Vaccine 
Effectiveness 
(95% CI) Included in 
pooled estimate? 
(reason if no) 
Tsenga 
June 3, 2023 
(Manufacturer 
funded) General population 
(6+ yr old 
immunocompetent & 
immunocompromised) Retrospective cohort 
– matched 8/31/2022 – 12/31/2022 
(18+ yr old) 
10/12/2022 -12/31/2022 
(6 -17 yr old) 74 days BV 
vs 2 doses OMV 855/290292 2083/580584 55 (51 – 59) No – overlapping 
study population 
Tenforde 
December 16, 
2022b General population 
(18+ yr old 
immunocompetent) Test -negative 9/12/2022 – 11/18/2022 25 days BV mRNA vs 
2 doses OMV 338/2738 4359/20361 50 (44 -56) Yes 
Tartof 
October 5, 
2023 
(Manufacturer 
funded) General population 
(18+ yr old 
immunocompetent & 
immunocompromised Test -negative 8/31/2022 -4/15/2023 77 days Pfizer BV compared 
to at least two doses 
OMV 10249 cases 53317 controls 35 (30 -40) Yes 
Ackerson 
April 4, 2024 
(Manufacturer 
funded) General population 
(18+ yr old 
immunocompetent & 
immunocompromised) Test -negative 9/1/2022 – 6/30/2023 Half of 
BA.4/BA.5 14 -60 
days Moderna BV 
compared to at least 
two OMV BA.4/BA.5: 
218/1930 BA.4/BA.5: 
1190/5254 BA.4/BA.5: 58 
(50 – 65) Yes 
Half of XBB 60 -
180 days XBB: 
343/1307 XBB: 
1113/3837 XBB: 
26 (13 – 36) 
DeCuir 
February 29, 
2024 General population 
(18+ yr old 
immunocompetent) Test -negative 9/25/2023 -1/9/2024 44 days 2023 -2024 dose 
compared to no 
updated dose 1297/17229 13378/111596 47 (44 -50) Yes 
Caffrey April 
7, 2024a 
(Manufacturer 
funded) VA beneficiaries 
(immunocompetent & 
immunocompromised) Test negative 1/25/2024 -1/31/2024 76 days 2023 -2024 dose 
Pfizer compared to 
no updated dose Cases and controls: 61976 39 (33 -45) Yes 
ED/UC: emergency department/urgent care; VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval; BV: bivalent; OMV: original mono valent 
a. Pre-print article 
b. Reprint date March 17, 2023 100 
 
 
 
   
  
  
   
     Benefits: Sensitivity analyses for VE against medically -
attended COVID -19 (ED/UC visits) 
Sensitivity analysis Number of studies VE (95% CI) 
Overall estimate 5 43 (30, 54) 
Published studies only 4 44 (27, 57) 
Non -manufacturer -funded studies only 2 48 (30, 61) 
Bivalent dose studies only 3 43 (16, 62) 
2023 -2024 dose studies only 2 45 (42, 47) 
ED/UC: emergency department/urgent care; VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval 
101 
 
 
       
  
   
   
    
 
 
          
 
       
          -Benefits: Evidence table for VE against m edically -
attended COVID -19 (ED/UC visits) 
Certainty assessment № of patients Effect 
Certainty Importance № of 
studies Study 
design Risk of 
bias Inconsistency Indirectness Imprecision Other 
considerations Updated 
COVID 19 
vaccine No updated 
vaccine Vaccine 
Effectiveness 
(95% CI) 
5a Obsb,c not 
seriousd not serious not seriouse not serious none 27478 cases/190528 controls 
61976 cases and controls 43 
(30 to 54)f Low CRITICAL 
ED/UC: emergency department/urgent care ; VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval 
a. Six studies were available in the body of evidence. One excluded because the study population was already represented. 
b. The body of evidence includes preprints 
c. The body of evidence includes manufacturer -funded studies 
d. Two studies contained data only for Pfizer COVID -19 vaccine and one study contained data only for Moderna COVID -19 vaccine. This was deemed unlikely to lead to a substantial 
risk bias in the magnitude of effect. 
e. Although I2 value was high (90%), no serious concern for inconsistency was present because all studies showed consistent magnitudes of ef fect at similar time points post updated 
dose 
f. Pooled VE based on a random effects meta -analysis, using adjusted vaccine effectiveness estimates on a log scale. 
102 
   Benefits: Certainty assessment for VE against 
medically -attended COVID -19 (ED/UC visits) 
▪Observational Studies (n=5) 
▪Pooled vaccine effectiveness 43% (95% CI: 30 to 54) 
▪No serious concerns in certainty assessment. 
▪Final certainty assessment: Low certainty 
ED/UC: emergency department/urgent care; CI: confidence interval 103 
  
      
 
   
 
    
   
     
    
  
   
    
  
  
      
   
  
  
  Benefits: Cohort studies included for VE against 
hospitalization due to COVID -19 
Study Population 
(age group) Method Time period Median days 
since 
updated 
dose Comparison n/N n/N VE (95% CI) Included in pooled 
estimate? 
(reason if no) 
Lin February 
23, 2023 General population 
(12+ yr old 
immunocompetent & 
immunocompromised) Retrospective 
cohort 9/1/2022 – 12/8/2022 - BV 
vs 
2 doses OMV - -59 (44 – 70) No 
(study population 
overlapped with another 
study) 
Lin 
May 11, 2023 General population 
(12+ yr old 
immunocompetent & 
immunocompromised) Retrospective 
cohort 9/1/2022 – 2/10/2023 Maximum: 105 
days BV 
vs 
2 dose OMV 253/127982 1955/50265509 40 (26 – 51) Yes 
Tseng 
June 3, 2023a, 
b General population 
(6+ yr old 
immunocompetent & 
immunocompromised) Retrospective 
cohort – 
matched 8/31/2022 – 12/31/2022 
(18+) 
10/12/2022 -12/31/2022 
(6-17 yr old) 74 days Moderna BV 
vs 
2 dose OMV 160/290292 646/580584 70 (64 – 75) No (study population 
overlapped with another 
study) 
Paritala 
December 4, 
2023 General population 
(12+ yr old 
immunocompetent & 
immunocompromised) Retrospective 
cohort 9/1/2022 Maximum: 200 
days BV compared 
vs 1 fewer 
dose 371/215576 1009/539191 22 (0 – 49) Yes 
VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence intervals; BV: bivalent; OMV: original monovalent 
a. Pre-print article 
b. Manufacturer funded study 
104 
    
           
  
  
   
 
  
    
  
  
 
  
 
  
        
        
   
 
   
 
   
   
 
 
  
    
       
  
  
   
   
  
   
 
  
    
     
     Benefits: Case control studies included for VE against hospitalization due to COVID -19 
Study Population 
(age group) Method Time period 
(predominant 
variant) Median time 
since 
updated dose Comparison Vaccinated 
cases, no./total 
no. Vaccinated 
controls 
no/total no. VE (95% CI) Included in pooled 
estimate? 
(reason if no) 
Surie 
May 26, 2023a General population 
(65+ yr old immunocompetent) Test -negative 9/8/2023 – 4/1/2023 34 days BV (7 -59 days earlier) 
vs 2 OMV 61/844 175/1059 60 (45 – 71) 
No (overlapping with another 
study) 89 days BV (60 -119 days 
earlier) vs 2 OMV 105/888 183/1067 35 (14 – 51) 
141 days BV (120 -176 days 
earlier) vs 2 OMV 73/856 92/976 17 (-21 – 42) 
Tenforde 
Dec 16, 2022b General population 
(18+ yr old immunocompetent) Test -negative 9/13/2022 -11/18/2022 23 days BV 
vs 
2 dose OMV 56/500 444/4933 48 (30 – 62) No (overlapping with another 
study) 
Link-Gelles 
May 26, 2023 General population (18+ yr old 
immunocompetent) Test -negative 9/13/2022 -4/21/2023 34 days BV (7 -59 days earlier) 
vs 2 OMV 327/4315 4530/37811 62 (57 – 67)c 
Yes 87 days BV (60 -119 days 
earlier) vs 2 OMV 486/4474 4705/37986 47 (41 – 53) c 
144 days BV (120 -176 days 
earlier) vs 2 OMV 315/4303 4303/36276 24 (12 – 33) c 
Tartof 
Oct 5, 2023c General population 
(18+ yr old immunocompetent 
& immunocompromised) Test -negative 8/31/2022 -4/15/2023 77 days Pfizer BV vs ≥ 2 
mRNA OMV 169/1457 1905/11101 39 (28 -49) Yes 
Ackerson 
April 4, 2024c General population 
(18+ yr old immunocompetent 
& immunocompromised) Test -negative 9/1/2022 – 6/30/2023 Half of 
BA.4/BA.5 14 -60 
days Moderna BV vs ≥ 2 
mRNA OMV BA.4/BA.5: 24/235 BA.4/BA.5: 
196/581 BA.4/BA.5: 67 (44 – 
81) Yes 
Half of XBB 60 -
180 days XBB: 40/172 XBB: 209/427 XBB: 60 (37 – 75) 
DeCuir January 
9,2024 General population 
(18+ yr old immunocompetent) Test -negative 9/8/2022 -8/31/2023 53  days BV mRNA (7 -89 days 
after) vs 2 OMV 184/1995 463/2843 48 (36 – 57) 
Yes 
133 days BV mRNA (90 -179 
days after) 
vs 2 OMV 269/2080 376/2756 17 (-1 – 31) 
DeCuir , 
February 29, 
2024 General population 
(18+ yr old immunocompetent) Test -negative 9/21/2023 -1/9/2024 42 days 
2023 -2024  dose vs 
no updated dose 395/4589 4199/32914 52 (47 – 57) 
Yes 
Test -negative 9/21/2023 -1/31/2024 47 days 94/1194 353/2923 43 (27 – 56) 
Caffrey 
April 7, 2024c VA Beneficiaries (18+ yr old 
immunocompetent & 
immunocompromised) Test negative 1/25/2024 -1/31/2024 76 days 2023 -2024 Pfizer 
dose vs no updated 
dose Cases and controls: 24206 43 (34 – 51) Yes 
VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval; BV: bivalent; OMV: original monovalent 
a. Updated analysis from April 19, 2023 ACIP meeting “COVID -19 vaccine effectiveness updates” b. Reprint date March 17, 2023 c . Manufacturer funded study 105 
 
  
  
    
   
   
   Benefits: Sensitivity analyses for VE against 
hospitalization due to COVID -19 
Sensitivity analysis Number of studies VE (95% CI) 
Overall estimate 8 43 (34, 52) 
Published studies only 5 48 (37, 57) 
Non -manufacturer -funded studies only 5 44 (33, 53) 
Test negative design studies only 6 46 (35, 54) 
Bivalent dose studies only 6 43 (31, 53) 
2023 -2024 dose studies only 2 47 (32, 59) 
VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval 
106 
  
     
   
  
  
  
 
     
 
 
          
 
      
    
          -Benefits: Evidence table for VE against hospitalization 
due to COVID -19 
Certainty assessment № of patients Effect 
Certainty Importance № of 
studies Study 
design Risk of 
bias Inconsistency Indirectness Imprecision Other 
considerations Updated COVID 19 
vaccine No 
updated 
vaccine Vaccine 
Effectiveness 
(95% CI) 
8a Obsb,c not 
seriousd not seriouse not serious not serious none 24878 cases 166023 controls 
24206 cases and controls 44 
(34 to 52)g Low CRITICAL 
642/343558 exposed 
2964/50504700 unexposedf 
VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval 
a. Six studies were available in the body of evidence. Two were excluded because the study population was already represented. 
b. The body of evidence includes preprints. 
c. The body of evidence includes a manufacturer -funded study. 
d. Two studies contained data only for Pfizer mRNA COVID vaccine and one study contained data only for mRNA Moderna vaccine. Thi s was deemed unlikely to lead to a substantial 
risk bias in the magnitude of effect. 
e. Although I2 value was high ( 87%), no serious concern for inconsistency was present because all studies showed consistent magnitudes of effect at similar ti me points post bivalent 
dose. 
f. Measurement of outcomes differed by study (COVID -19 was not necessarily confirmed as the cause of hospitalizations), but this wa s deemed not serious. 
g. Pooled VE based on a random effects meta -analysis, using adjusted vaccine effectiveness estimates on a log scale. 
107 
  Benefits: Certainty assessment for VE against 
hospitalization due to COVID -19 
▪Observational Studies (n=8) 
▪Pooled relative vaccine effectiveness 44% (95% CI: 34 to 52) 
▪No serious concerns in certainty assessment. 
▪Final certainty assessment: Low certainty 
CI: confidence interval 108 
       
 
  
   
 
    
  
  
    
   
    
   
    
 
   
   
     
 
  Benefits: Studies included for VE against death due to 
COVID -19 
Study Population (Age 
group) Method Time period (predominant 
variant) Median days 
since 
updated 
dose Comparison n/N n/N Vaccine 
Effectiveness 
(95% CI) Included in pooled 
estimate? 
(reason if no) 
Tsenga, b 
June 3, 
2023 General population 
(6+ yr old 
immunocompetent & 
immunocompromised) Retrospective 
cohort – matched 8/31/2022 – 12/31/2022 (18+) 
10/12/2022 -12/31/2022 
(6-17 yr old) 74 days Moderna BV 
vs 
2 dose OMV 10/290292 59/580584 82 (63 – 91) No (overlap with 
another study) 
Lin 
May 11, 
2023 General population 
(12+ yr old 
immunocompetent & 
immunocompromised) Retrospective 
cohort 9/1/2022 – 2/10/2023 Maximum: 105 
days BV 
vs 
2 dose OMV 79/1279802 788/5026509 44 (9 – 65) Yes 
Paritala , General population Retrospective 9/1/2022 – 6/15/2023 Maximum: BV vs 1 fewer dose 59/215576 167/539191 18 (0 -56) Yes 
December (12+ yr old cohort 112 days 
4, 2023 immunocompetent & 
immunocompromised) 
Ackerson 
April 4, 
2024b General population 
(18+ yr old 
immunocompetent & 
immunocompromised) Test -negative 9/1/2022 – 6/30/2023 Half of 
BA.4/BA.5 14 -
60 days Moderna BV 
compared vs at 
least two OMV BA.4/BA.5: 2/15 BA.4/BA.5: 
13/38 BA.4/BA.5: 53 (-
84 – 97) Yes 
Half of XBB 60 -
180 days XBB: 4/10 XBB: 17/25 XBB: 32 ( -84 – 
94) 
VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence intervals; BV: bivalent; OMV: original monovalent 
a. Pre-print article 
b. Manufacturer funded study 
109 
  
 
   
  
   Benefits: Sensitivity analyses for VE against death due 
to COVID -19 
Sensitivity analysis Number of studies rVE (95% CI) 
Overall estimate 3 23 (8, 36) 
Published studies only 2 43 (23, 57) 
Non -manufacturer -funded studies only 2 22 (7, 35) 
VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval 
110 
  
 
 
       
             
       
  
 
 
  -Benefits: Evidence table for VE against death due to 
COVID -19 
Certainty assessment № of patients Effect 
Certainty Importance № of 
studies Study 
design Risk of 
bias Inconsistency Indirectness Imprecision Other 
considerations Updated COVID 19 
vaccine No 
updated 
vaccine Vaccine 
effectiveness 
(95% CI) 
3 Obsa,b not not serious not serious not serious none 1130/343558 exposed 23 Low IMPORTANT 
seriousc 955/50504700 unexposed (8 to 36)d 
35 cases/63 controls 
VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval 
a. The body of evidence includes a preprint. 
b. The body of evidence includes a manufacturer -funded study. 
c. One study contained data only for Moderna COVID -19 vaccine. This was deemed unlikely to lead to a substantial risk bias in the m agnitude of effect. 
d. Pooled VE based on a fixed effects meta -analysis, using adjusted vaccine effectiveness estimates on a log scale. Fixed effects m odel was used for this analysis due to imprecision of 
the between -studies variance estimate. 
111 
  Benefits: Certainty assessment for VE against death 
due to COVID -19 
▪Observational Studies (n=3) 
▪Pooled relative vaccine effectiveness was 23% (95% CI: 8 to 36) 
▪No serious concerns in certainty assessment. 
▪Final certainty assessment: Low 
CI: Confidence interval 112 
   Benefits: VE against post -COVID conditions 
• No data captured in systematic review 
• Common reasons for exclusion 
-Review article 
-Self-reported vaccination status 
-Combines vaccine platforms 
-Not a VE study 
-Vaccination as a therapeutic (after infection) 
-Different intervention (original monovalent series) 
• Data not captured in the systematic review indicate that COVID vaccine provides some 
protection against post -COVID conditions 
113 
 
  
  
  
 Harms: Safety surveillance studies included for 
specified serious adverse events 
▪Myocarditis/pericarditis: An analysis from the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) evaluated 
chart -reviewed cases of myocarditis and pericarditis occurring among adolescents and 
adults aged 12 -39 years following an original monovalent booster dose and a bivalent 
booster dose based on events occurring in a 7 -day risk interval after vaccination vs. a 
comparison interval in vaccinated individuals. 
▪Anaphylaxis: An analysis from VSD evaluated chart -reviewed cases of anaphylaxis among 
all vaccinated after the original monovalent primary series persons aged 12 and older. 
114 
      
   
   
  
  
    
   
   
 
  
  
  
    
   
   
   
   
   
              
   Harms: Incidence of myocarditis/pericarditis 
Incidence Rate of Verified Myocarditis/Pericarditis in the 0 to 7 Days After mRNA COVID -19 Vaccination among Persons Aged 12 – 39 Y ears by 
Product, Age Group, Sex. 
Original Monovalent Booster Dose Bivalent Booster Dose 
Age group Cases/Doses 
Administered Incidence Rate/Million Doses 
(95% CI) Cases/Doses 
Administered Incidence Rate/Million Doses (95% CI) 
Pfizer 
Male 
12-17 y - - 0/55649 0.0 (0.0 – 53.8) 
12-15 y 5/81613 61.3 (19.9 – 143.0) - -
16-17 y 9/47874 188.0 (86.0 – 356.9) - -
18-29 y 7/166973 41.9 (16.9 – 86.4) 1/60338 16.6 (0.4 – 92.3) 
30-39 y 3/197554 15.2 (3.1 – 44.4) 0/97171 0.0 (0.0 – 30.8) 
Female 
12-17 y - - 0/57776 0.0 (0.0 – 51.9) 
12-15 y 0/84114 0.0 (0.0 – 35.6) - -
16-17 y 2/55004 36.4 (4.4 – 131.3) - -
18-29 y 1/240226 4.2 (0.1 – 23.2) 0/95162 0.0 (0.0 – 31.5) 
30-39 y 1/268412 3.7 (0.1 – 20.8) 0/133305 0.0 (0.0 – 22.5) 
Moderna 
Male 
18-29 y 7/109337 64.0 (25.7 – 131.9) 0/22247 0.0 (0.0 – 134.7) 
30-39 y 1/149468 6.7 (0.2 – 37.3) 1/41820 23.9 (0.6 – 133.2) 
Female 
18-29 y 1/156707 6.4 (0.2 – 35.6) 0/35393 0.0 (0.0 – 84.6) 
30-39 y 2/191765 10.4 (1.3 – 37.7) 0/55816 0.0 (0.0 – 53.7) 
* Primary series and monovalent booster data through August 20, 2022; source: Goddard K, et al. Incidence of Myocarditis/Pericarditis Following mRNA COVID -19 Vaccination Among Children and Younger Adults in the United States . Ann Intern 
Med. 2022;175:1169 -1771. Bivalent booster data through March 11, 2023. Data unpublished. 115 
    
 
   
  
 
      Harms: Incidence of anaphylaxis 
• Among persons 12 and older, based on events occurring in a 0 -1 day risk 
interval after either dose of primary series vaccination, the estimated 
incidence of confirmed anaphylaxis among adolescents and adults was 
4.8 (95% CI 3.2 -6.9) per million doses of original monovalent Pfizer -
BioNTech vaccine and 5.1 (95% CI: 3.3 -7.4) per million doses of original 
monovalent Moderna vaccine. 1 
-There were fewer cases of anaphylaxis post dose 2 compared with 
dose 1. 
CI: confidence interval 
1. Klein et al. Surveillance for Adverse Events After COVID -19 mRNA Vaccination. JAMA. 2021;326(14):1390 -1399 116 
Harms: Certainty assessment for specified serious 
adverse events 
▪Observational Studies (n=2) 
▪Two rare, specified serious adverse events have been associated with 
vaccination through safety surveillance 
▪No serious concerns in certainty assessment. 
▪Final certainty assessment: Low certainty 
117 
Infants and children 
  
   
 
   
  
        
  
      -Benefits: Studies included for VE against medically -
attended COVID -19 (ED/UC visits) 
Study Population 
(age group) Method Time period Median 
follow up 
time Comparison n cases/N 
total cases n controls/N 
total controls Vaccine 
effectiveness 
(95% CI) Included in 
pooled 
estimate? 
(reason if no) 
Link-Gelles 
August 
2023 General population 
(6 mo -5 years 
immunocompetent) Test -negative 
(VISION) 12/24/2022 – 6/17/2023 58 days BV 
compared to 
unvaccinated 3/1331 315/29133 80 (42 -96) Yes 
ED/UC: emergency department/urgent care; VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval; BV: bivalent 
119 
 
  
      
   
 
  
 
    
    -Benefits: Evidence table for VE against medically -
attended COVID -19 (ED/UC visits) 
Certainty assessment № of patients Effect 
Certainty Importance № of 
studies Study 
design Risk of 
bias Inconsistency Indirectness Imprecision Other 
considerations Updated COVID 
19 vaccine No updated 
vaccine Vaccine 
Eefectiveness 
(95% CI) 
1 Obs not 
serious not serious not seriousa not serious none 1331 cases /29133 controls 80 
(42 to 96) Low CRITICAL 
ED/UC: emergency department/urgent care; VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval 
a. Study population only included children aged 6 months – 5 years. This was deemed insufficient to downgrade for indirectness. 
120 
     Benefits: Certainty assessment for VE against 
medically -attended COVID -19 (ED/UC visits) 
▪Observational Studies (n=1) 
▪Absolute vaccine effectiveness 80% (95% CI: 42 to 96) 
▪No serious concerns in certainty assessment. 
▪Final certainty assessment: Low certainty 
ED/UC: emergency department/urgent care; VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval 121 
 
 
 
 ​ 
  
 
  
   Benefits: Studies included and certainty assessment for 
VE against hospitalization and death due to COVID -19 
No pediatric studies captured in the evidence review on the benefits of updated COVID -
19 vaccine against hospitalization and death, however indirect evidence of adolescent 
and adult benefit can be used to make inferences regarding pediatric benefit 
Adolescent and adult Pediatrics (with indirectness 
downgrade) 
Outcome​ Design 
(# of studies) Vaccine effectiveness 
(95% CI) Final certainty assessment Final certainty assessment 
Hospitalization due to COVID -
19​OBS (8) 44 (34 -52) Low Very low 
Death due to COVID -19 OBS (3) 23 (8 -36) Low Very low 
VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval 
122 
  
       
  
   
  
  
   
 
     
 
 
          
 
      
   
    
          -Benefits: Evidence table for VE against hospitalization 
due to COVID -19 
Certainty assessment № of patients Effect 
Certainty Importance № of 
studies Study 
design Risk of 
bias Inconsistency Indirectness Imprecision Other 
considerations Updated COVID 19 
vaccine No 
updated 
vaccine Vaccine 
effectiveness 
(95% CI) 
8a Obsb,c not 
seriousd not seriouse seriousf not serious none 24,878 cases 166,023 controls 
24,206 cases and controls 44 
(34 to 0.52)h Very Low CRITICAL 
642/343,558 exposed 
2,964/50,504,700 unexposedg 
VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval 
a. Six studies were available in the body of evidence. Two were excluded because the study population was already represented. 
b. The body of evidence includes preprints. 
c. The body of evidence includes a manufacturer -funded study. 
d. Two studies contained data only for Pfizer COVID -19 vaccine and one study contained data only for Moderna COVID -19 vaccine. This was deemed unlikely to lead to a substantial 
risk bias in the magnitude of effect. 
e. Although I2 value was high ( 87%), no serious concern for inconsistency was present because all studies showed consistent magnitudes of effect at similar ti me points post bivalent 
dose 
f. Serious concern for indirectness was present. The vast majority of the body of evidence contained data from adolescents and a dults. 
g. Measurement of outcomes differed by study (COVID -19 was not necessarily confirmed as the cause of hospitalizations), but this wa s deemed not serious. 
h. Pooled VE based on a random effects meta -analysis, using adjusted vaccine effectiveness estimates on a log scale. 
123 
  
   
    
          
           
               
   
       
  
 
 
   -Benefits: Evidence table for VE against death due to 
COVID -19 
Certainty assessment № of patients Effect 
Certainty Importance № of 
studies Study 
design Risk of 
bias Inconsistency Indirectness Imprecision Other 
considerations Updated COVID 19 
vaccine No 
updated 
vaccine Vaccine 
Effectiveness 
(95% CI) 
3 Obsa,b not not serious seriousd not serious none 1130/343,558 exposed 23 Very Low Important 
seriousc 955/50,504,700 unexposed (8 to 36)e 
35 cases/63 controls 
VE: vaccine effectiveness; CI: confidence interval 
a. The body of evidence includes preprints. 
b. The body of evidence includes a manufacturer -funded study. 
c. One study contained data only for Moderna COVID -19 vaccine. This was deemed unlikely to lead to a substantial risk bias in the m agnitude of effect 
d. Serious concern for indirectness was present. The vast majority of the body of evidence contained data from adolescents and a dults. 
e. Pooled VE based on a fixed effects meta -analysis, using adjusted vaccine effectiveness estimates on a log scale. Fixed effects m odel was used for this analysis due to imprecise estimates of the 
between -studies variance 
124 
 
 
 
   Benefits: VE against post -COVID conditions and MIS -C 
• No data captured in systematic review 
• Common reasons for exclusion 
-Review article 
-Self-reported vaccination status 
-Combines vaccine platforms 
-Not a VE study 
-Vaccination as a therapeutic (after infection) 
-Different intervention (original monovalent series) 
• Data not captured in the systematic review indicate that COVID vaccine 
provides some protection against post -COVID conditions and MIS -C 
MIS-C: multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children 125 
 
 
  
 
 Harms: Safety surveillance studies included for 
specified serious adverse events 
▪Myocarditis/Pericarditis: An analysis from the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) 
among children aged 5 -11. Rates are following an original monovalent booster 
dose. 
▪Anaphylaxis: An analysis from VSD among adolescents and adults ages 12 and 
older. Rates are following primary series doses. 
126 
    
  
    
  
  
  
     
   
    
   
    
 Harms: Incidence of myocarditis/pericarditis 
▪A single, observational study from the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) evaluated chart -reviewed cases of 
myocarditis occurring among children aged 5 -11 years following an original monovalent booster based on 
events occurring in a 7 -day risk interval after vaccination vs. a comparison interval in vaccinated individuals. 
▪Data from VSD and the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) do not suggest an increased risk 
in children aged 6 months – 4 years 
Table. Incidence Rate of Verified Myocarditis/Pericarditis in 
the 0 to 7 Days After mRNA COVID -19 Vaccination among 
Persons Aged 5 -11 Y ears by Age Group and Sex. 
Age 
group Cases/Original 
Monovalent Booster 
Doses Administered Incidence Rate/Million Doses 
(95% CI) 
Pfizer 
Male 
5-11 y 0/50415 0.0 (0.0 -59.4) 
Female 
5-11 y 0/49261 0.0 (0.0 -60.8) 
1. Goddard et al. Incidence of Myocarditis/Pericarditis Following mRNA COVID -19 Vaccination Among Children and Younger Adults in the Unite d States. Annals 
of Internal Medicine. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M22 -2274 127 
  
    
    
 Harms: Incidence of anaphylaxis 
• Risk of anaphylaxis in children can be indirectly inferred from the known 
risk in persons ages 12 and older1 
-4.8 (95% CI: 3.2 -6.9) per million doses of original monovalent Pfizer -BioNTech 
-5.1 (95% CI: 3.3 -7.4) per million doses of original monovalent Moderna 
• There were fewer cases of anaphylaxis post dose 2 compared with dose 1. 
1. Klein et al. Surveillance for Adverse Events After COVID -19 mRNA Vaccination. JAMA. 2021;326(14):1390 -1399 
128 
 
          
   
          
          
  
 
        
     
    
       
     
       
 
     
     
   
    
   
 
  Harms: Evidence table for serious adverse events 
(myocarditis and anaphylaxis) 
Certainty assessment № of patients Effect 
Certainty Importance № of 
studies Study 
design Risk of 
bias Inconsistency Indirectness Imprecision Other 
considerati 
ons Intervention Comparison Relative 
(95% CI) 
1 Obs not not serious seriousa not serious None • An analysis from Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) evaluated chart -reviewed cases Very Low CRITICAL 
serious of myocarditis occurring among children aged 5 –11 years following a bivalent 
dose. Based on events occurring in a 7 -day risk interval after vaccination vs. a 
comparison interval in vaccinated individuals. Among children aged 5 -11 
years who received an updated dose of Pfizer -BioNTech, there 0 cases of 
myocarditis among 50,415 males and 0 cases among 49,261 females (rate per 
million doses in men was 0 [95% CI: 0 -59.4] and women was 0 [95% CI: 0 -
60.8]) 
• A rapid cycle analysis of data from VSD evaluated chart -reviewed cases of 
anaphylaxis among all vaccinated persons aged 12 and older. Based on events 
occurring in a 0 -1 day risk interval after vaccination, the estimated incidence 
of confirmed anaphylaxis among adolescents and adults 4.8 (95% CI 3.2 -6.9) 
per million doses of BNT162B2 and 5.1 (95% CI: 3.3 -7.4) per million doses of 
mRNA -1273. There were fewer cases of anaphylaxis post dose 2 compared 
with dose 1.b 
a. Serious concern for indirectness, as the body of evidence for myocarditis was only among children aged 5 -11 receiving a monovale nt booster and the body of evidence for anaphylaxis was among 
adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older receiving a primary series 
b. Among children ages 5 -11, the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) had 6 reports of anaphylaxis (reporting rate of 0. 4 per million doses administered) from November 3rd 2021 – 
February 7th 2022. Among children ages 6 mo – 5 years, VAERS had 1 report of anaphylaxis from June 18 – August 21, 2022. 129 
 
 
  Harms: Certainty assessment for specified serious 
adverse events 
▪Observational Studies (n=2) 
▪Two specific, rare SAE has been associated with vaccination through safety 
surveillance 
▪Serious concern for indirectness, as the body of evidence for myocarditis was for 
an original monovalent booster and the body of evidence for anaphylaxis was 
among adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older receiving a primary 
series 
▪Final certainty assessment: Very low certainty 
CI: Confidence interval; RR: Risk ratio 130 
 
 
  
  
              
         
     
     
      
  
   
  
  
    
  
    
      
    
    
   
   
   
   
   
    
       
   
    
   
    
   
     
     
   
           
        -Harms: Evidence table for serious adverse events 
(myocarditis and anaphylaxis) 
Certainty assessment № of patients Effect 
Certainty Importance № of 
studies Study 
design Risk of 
bias Inconsistency Indirectness Imprecision Other 
considerati 
ons Updated COVID 19 vaccine Comparison Relative 
(95% CI) 
1 Obs not 
serious not serious not seriousa not serious None • An analysis from Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) evaluated chart -reviewed cases of myocarditis occurring 
among persons aged 12 –39 years following an original monovalent booster dose and a bivalent dose. Based 
on events occurring in a 7 -day risk interval after vaccination vs. a comparison interval in vaccinated 
individuals. Among adolescents aged 12 --17 years who received a bivalent booster dose of Pfizer -
BioNTech, there 0 cases of myocarditis among 55,549 males and 0 cases among 57,776 females (rate per 
million doses in men was 0 [95% CI: 0 -5] and women was 0 [95% CI: 0 -52]). Among adults aged 18 – 49 years 
there were 2 myocarditis cases in 221,576 males, and 0 in 319,676 females. Among Pfizer -BioNTech 
recipients, rates per million doses were: 17 (95% CI: 1 –92) in males ages 18 –29 years; 0 (95% CI: 0 –32) in 
females ages 18 –29 years; 0 (95% CI: 0 –31) in males ages 30 –39 years and 0 (95% CI: 0 –23) in females ages 
30–39 years. Among Moderna recipients, rates per million doses were: 0 (95% CI: 0 –135) in males ages 18 – 
29 years; 0 (95% CI: 0 –85) in females ages 18 –29 years; 24 (95% CI: 1 –133) in males ages 30 –39 years and 0 
(95% CI: 0 –54) in females ages 30 –39 years. Among adolescents ages 12 -15 years who received an original 
monovalent booster dose of Pfizer -BioNTech, there were 5 cases of myocarditis among 81,613 males and 0 
cases among 84,114 females (rate per million doses in males was 61 [95% CI: 20 – 143] and in females was 0 
[95% CI: 0 --36]). Among adolescents ages 16 -17 years, there were 9 cases of myocarditis among 47,874 
males and 2 cases among 55,004 females (rate per million doses in males was 188 [95% CI: 86 – 357] and in 
females was 36 [95% CI: 4 -131]) Among adults ages 18 -29 years, there were 7 cases of myocarditis among 
166,973 males and 1 case among 240,226 females (rate per million doses in males was 42 [95% CI: 17 – 86] 
and in females was 4 [95% CI: 0 -23). Among adults ages 30 -39 years, there were 3 case of myocarditis 
among 197,554 males and 1 case among 268,412 females (rate per million doses in males was 15 [95% CI: 3 
– 44] and in females was 4 [95% CI: 0 -23). Among adults ages 18 -29 years who received an original 
monovalent booster dose of Moderna, there were 7 cases of myocarditis among 109,337 males and 1 case 
among 156,707 females (rate per million doses in males was 64 [95% CI: 26 – 132] and in females was 6 
[95% CI: 0 – 36]). Among adults ages 30 -39 years, there was 1 case of myocarditis among 149,468 males and 
2 cases among 191,765 females (rate per million doses in males was 7 [95% CI: 0 – 37] and in females was 
10 [95% CI: 1 -38). 
• An analysis of data from VSD evaluated chart -reviewed cases of anaphylaxis among all vaccinated persons 
aged 12 and older. Based on events occurring in a 0 -1 day risk interval after vaccination, the estimated 
incidence of confirmed anaphylaxis among adolescents and adults 4.8 (95% CI 3.2 -6.9) per million doses of 
BNT162B2 and 5.1 (95% CI: 3.3 -7.4) per million doses of mRNA -1273. There were fewer cases of anaphylaxis 
post dose 2 compared with dose 1. Low CRITICAL 
a. Indirectness was noted for anaphylaxis, as rates were from the primary series. Primary series rates of anaphylaxis are likely an overestimate of the rate in the current phase of COVID -19 
after an updated vaccine, and this was deemed not serious. 131