Dear editor, The most recent data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health indicates that 67% of Oklahomans are vaccinated against Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID19), but only 40% of adolescents in Oklahoma have received one dose of vaccine and 34% have received two doses. The Pfizer vaccine was authorized for this age group in May of 2021 adding to the original authorization of children 16 and older in December 2020. These RNA vaccines are highly effective and have an excellent safety profile. However, not enough teens are taking advantage of this protection, and therefore are suffering infections, transmitting the virus to family members, schoolmates, and teachers. In Oklahoma, over 55,000 1217 years of age have tested positive for COVID, and seven have died. During the week of Jan 29, five adolescents have been hospitalized with COVID19 in Oklahoma.
A study published in the New England J Medicine Jan. 12, 2022, reported on 445 adolescents 1218 years of age were admitted to hospitals with COVID19. Among these, 96% were not immunized and 4% were fully or partially immunized! Among these 445 adolescents, 196 (44%) had severe disease defined as intensive care admission or lifethreatening disease (99% were not immunized). Yes, 74% of the COVID19 patients, and a similar proportion of the control groups had at least one underlying health condition, including obesity, a condition common in Blaine County.
Comparing two control groups of adolescents who were admitted to the hospital but did not have COVID19, the protective efficacy against hospitalization was 94% among fully vaccinated and similar for partially vaccinated patients. This study is some of the strongest data yet about the importance of young people being vaccinated with one of the FDA authorized (Pfizer has full FDA approval) vaccines to avoid severe disease.
This data was collected from JulyOctober 2021 when Delta was the primary variant of the SARS2 virus in circulation. Since November, the omicron variant has been spreading. As of Jan. 6, 2022, in North Central Oklahoma, 62% of isolates are of the omicron variant and 38% are delta. Further NW in Oklahoma, delta still makes up 60% of the virus, but this is rapidly changing. Vaccine studies indicate that two doses of vaccine are still highly protective against hospitalization, ICU admission and death. It is highly recommended that adolescents get the Pfizer vaccine, and a booster 5 months after the second dose.
Joe P. Bryan, MD Fellow, Infectious Disease Society of America (Emeritus)