Table 5.

COVID-19 vaccine issues

Mortality rates in children, including those < 5 years of age are not yet well documented
Data with regard to COVID-19 in pregnant women and the fetus remain unclear but analysis of data suggests some adverse maternal effects and increased preterm births
The safety and efficacy of immunization against SARS-CoV-2 in children < 5 years of age must be studied in future clinical trials because of the different immune responses in children from those seen in older age groups; these trials are just getting started
The Pfizer vaccine clinical trials are underway for adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age and, have resulted in an FDA emergency authorization; thus far COVID-19 vaccines have been found to be safe and effective for adolescents

COVID-19 = Coronavirus disease 2019; SARS-CoV-2 = severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2; FDA = U.S. Food and Drug Administration.