The CDC found that updated Covid-19 vaccines during the 2024–25 season substantially reduced emergency department and urgent-care visits among children, estimating effectiveness of about 76% for ages 9 months–4 years and 56% for ages 5–17. The analysis used records from roughly 98,000 Covid-positive pediatric visits across 250 sites in nine states. Uptake of the updated shot was low (about 13%), and data were insufficient to assess protection against hospitalization. The findings come as vaccine advisory membership and federal guidance shifted, prompting continued monitoring and debate.
CDC: Updated 2024–25 Covid Shots Cut Pediatric ER and Urgent-Care Visits
Covid-19 vaccines were universally recommended for all children ages 6 months and older last season. - Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Children who received the updated Covid-19 vaccine during the 2024–25 respiratory virus season had substantially lower risks of emergency department (ED) and urgent-care visits related to the virus, according to a report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Study Findings
The CDC analysis estimated the updated vaccines were approximately 76% effective at preventing Covid-19–related ED and urgent-care encounters for otherwise healthy children aged 9 months to 4 years, and about 56% effective for children aged 5 to 17, compared with children who did not receive the 2024–25 updated vaccine.
Researchers analyzed records for roughly 98,000 children who tested positive for Covid-19 during ED or urgent-care visits between late August 2024 and early September 2025. Data were collected from 250 EDs and urgent-care clinics across nine states participating in a CDC-affiliated research collaboration.
What the Comparison Meant
The study compared outcomes for children who received the 2024–25 updated vaccine with children who did not receive that season's shot; some children in the latter group may have had earlier vaccine series or prior infection. The report notes that, in a population with varying levels of prior protection from vaccination and infection, the 2024–25 vaccination provided additional protection against Covid-19–related ED and urgent-care visits.
Uptake, Hospitalizations and Ongoing Monitoring
Only about 13% of children—roughly one in eight—received the updated 2024–25 vaccine, the CDC said. Because relatively few vaccinated children were observed, the report concluded there was insufficient data to reliably assess vaccine protection against hospitalization for this season.
Nevertheless, children remain at risk for severe outcomes. The CDC reported about 38,000 pediatric hospitalizations with Covid-19 during the 2023–24 season—more than one hospitalization for every 1,900 children—with infants experiencing higher hospitalization rates than most other pediatric age groups.
Policy Context and Debate
For the 2024–25 season, U.S. authorities initially recommended Covid-19 vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older after votes by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This year ACIP's membership was replaced with new appointees selected by the Department of Health and Human Services secretary. Following that change, CDC guidance now advises that Covid-19 vaccination for children ages 6 months through 17 years be determined through 'shared clinical decision-making' between families and health care providers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics continues to explicitly recommend Covid-19 vaccination for young children. The CDC researchers highlighted uncertainty about the effect of the policy shift, writing that the impact of moving from a universal recommendation to shared clinical decision-making on vaccination coverage and effectiveness is unclear and underscores the need for continued monitoring.
Investigations and Statements
The report appears amid broader debate and federal review of vaccine policies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said it is examining reports of deaths across multiple age groups to determine if any are related to Covid-19 vaccines. Separately, a senior FDA official wrote in a memo that Covid-19 'was never highly lethal for children' and compared its effects to other respiratory viruses; that memo did not present supporting evidence for some claims, according to agency statements.
"There is no evidence that the vaccine is more dangerous to a child than the virus itself," said Dr. Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. "This data illustrates that the vaccine has value to the individual getting vaccinated—preventing disruptions such as emergency visits and helping families keep their lives on track."
Researchers and public health groups say continued surveillance of vaccine effectiveness and safety is important as policy and vaccination coverage evolve.
