Effectiveness of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) Vaccine in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic have expanded to the vaccination of children and adolescents. This systematic review assesses the utility of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine in children and adolescents aged 5–18 years, considering its effectiveness against COVID infection, hospital an...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Vaccines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/10/11/1880 |
| _version_ | 1797466348778946560 |
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| author | Jewel Maria Sabu Izza Zahid Namitha Jacob Faith O. Alele Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli |
| author_facet | Jewel Maria Sabu Izza Zahid Namitha Jacob Faith O. Alele Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli |
| author_sort | Jewel Maria Sabu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic have expanded to the vaccination of children and adolescents. This systematic review assesses the utility of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine in children and adolescents aged 5–18 years, considering its effectiveness against COVID infection, hospital and intensive care admission and duration of effectiveness after vaccination. Six databases were searched following the PRISMA guidelines. Pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using meta-analysis. Fifteen studies were included in the systematic review, while 12 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Evidence suggests that the two-dose vaccination regime provided high effectiveness of 92% (95% CI, 86–96) against COVID infection. Vaccination also conferred high protection against hospitalisation (91%) and intensive care admission (85%). The vaccine was highly protective against the Delta variant of the virus, but showed a lower protection against the Omicron variant. Most adverse effects were transient and mild, commonly including pain at the injection site, fatigue and headache. Current findings are suggestive of waning immunity over time; however, further research is needed to investigate the relevance of booster doses in this age group. In summary, the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine demonstrated high levels of protection against COVID-19 infection and its complications while maintaining an adequate safety profile in children and adolescents. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:34:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d63c3771bcd049c48e6446dc4069e33e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-393X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:34:43Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Vaccines |
| spelling | doaj.art-d63c3771bcd049c48e6446dc4069e33e2023-11-24T07:14:09ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2022-11-011011188010.3390/vaccines10111880Effectiveness of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) Vaccine in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisJewel Maria Sabu0Izza Zahid1Namitha Jacob2Faith O. Alele3Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli4College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, AustraliaCollege of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, AustraliaCollege of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, AustraliaCollege of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, AustraliaCollege of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, AustraliaEfforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic have expanded to the vaccination of children and adolescents. This systematic review assesses the utility of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine in children and adolescents aged 5–18 years, considering its effectiveness against COVID infection, hospital and intensive care admission and duration of effectiveness after vaccination. Six databases were searched following the PRISMA guidelines. Pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using meta-analysis. Fifteen studies were included in the systematic review, while 12 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Evidence suggests that the two-dose vaccination regime provided high effectiveness of 92% (95% CI, 86–96) against COVID infection. Vaccination also conferred high protection against hospitalisation (91%) and intensive care admission (85%). The vaccine was highly protective against the Delta variant of the virus, but showed a lower protection against the Omicron variant. Most adverse effects were transient and mild, commonly including pain at the injection site, fatigue and headache. Current findings are suggestive of waning immunity over time; however, further research is needed to investigate the relevance of booster doses in this age group. In summary, the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine demonstrated high levels of protection against COVID-19 infection and its complications while maintaining an adequate safety profile in children and adolescents.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/10/11/1880COVID-19effectivenessvaccinechildrenadolescents |
| spellingShingle | Jewel Maria Sabu Izza Zahid Namitha Jacob Faith O. Alele Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli Effectiveness of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) Vaccine in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Vaccines COVID-19 effectiveness vaccine children adolescents |
| title | Effectiveness of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) Vaccine in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_full | Effectiveness of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) Vaccine in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) Vaccine in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) Vaccine in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_short | Effectiveness of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) Vaccine in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_sort | effectiveness of the bnt162b2 pfizer biontech vaccine in children and adolescents a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | COVID-19 effectiveness vaccine children adolescents |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/10/11/1880 |
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