OPINION | This article contains opinion. This site is licensed to publish this content.
The coronavirus mortality rate among children remains low, according to data from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
With 46 states reporting, including New York City, Puerto Rico and Guam, the APP reported that “Children were 0.00%-0.27% of all COVID-19 deaths.”
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky released data on Friday, January 7th that confirmed “children still have the lowest rate of hospitalization of any group.”
On average, CDC data shows that 760 kids under age 18 are hospitalized with COVID-19 each day. While the rate is still extremely low, this is also the highest average ever reported for the age group.
The APP added that 5 states reported zero child deaths. The data showed that 0.1%-1.6% of all child coronavirus cases resulted in hospitalization.
Despite these low mortality and low hospitalization rates, Joe Biden continues to push mass vaccination for children.
According to CDC data, only 16% of kids 5-11 are fully vaccinated. Over half of kids ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated.
“The FDA has now authorized booster shots for children ages 12 to 15,” Biden wrote to Twitter.
“Vaccinating our children is the best way to protect them from the Omicron variant”
Biden has even used Sesame Street characters like Big Bird to market the drug to children.
Sesame Street characters even participated in a CNN town hall meeting about the vaccines.
Big Bird wrote to Twitter, “I got the COVID-19 vaccine today!”
“My wing is feeling a little sore, but it’ll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy,” the fictional character told children.
Biden congratulated the fictional character, responding, “Good on ya, @BigBird.”
“Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep your whole neighborhood safe,” Biden said.
The Biden administration is pushing for vaccines on children as young as five.
CDC director Rochelle Walensky said studies are ongoing about vaccinating children ages six months to five years.
“And likely, the clinical trial are ongoing in individuals less than five years,” she said.
“Hopefully, in the first half — hopefully, towards the earlier part of the first half, we may have some information so that we can vaccinate children of that age,” she added.
