Infographics
The Pandemic’s Impact on Children: COVID Vaccinations & Mental Health
Published on: November 18, 2021.
140,000 children
have lost a parent or a grandparent caregiver to COVID-19
About this Data Insights
Children’s health care professionals in the US have declared a national state of emergency in child and adolescent mental health. The ongoing stress, fear, grief, disruption of schooling and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic has weighed heavily on children and teens, and many are having a tough time coping emotionally.
More than 140,000 children have experienced the death of a parent or grandparent caregiver from COVID-19. Black, Latino, and Native American children have been hit especially hard. Research shows they have had up to 4.5 times the risk of losing a caregiver to COVID, compared to White children. As of November 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all children 5-11 be vaccinated against COVID-19, making shots available to an additional 28 million more children. The CDC estimates vaccinating all these children, 5-11 years old, could prevent around 600,000 new COVID cases.
CDC COVID-19 vaccine recommendation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens, October 21, 2021
Child cumulative COVID-19 case total: American Academy of Pediatrics, Children and COVID-19: State-Level Data Report, November 11, 2021
NOTE: Last updated on November 11, 2021
Over 1-4 new cases is a child case: American Academy of Pediatrics, Children and COVID-19: State-Level Data Report, November 11, 2021
NOTE: Last updated on November 11, 2021
Vaccination rates among children
Vaccination Percentage 12-15: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID Data Tracker, November 17, 2021
NOTE: Last updated on November 17, 2021
Vaccination Percentage 16-17: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID Data Tracker, November 14, 2021
NOTE: Last updated on November 14, 2021
Vaccination Percentage older than 12: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United States, November 17, 2021
NOTE: Last updated on November 17, 2021
Planning on vaccinating 5-11: Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor: October 2021, October 28, 2021
Planning on vaccinating under 5 : Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor: Vaccination Trends Among Children And COVID-19 In Schools, September 30, 2021
FDA authorizes vaccine for young children: Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use in Children 5 through 11 Years of Age, October 29, 2021
Preventing 600,000 cases: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), EtR Framework: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5–11 years, November 2, 2021
NOTE: Modeling based off projection from November 2021 to March 2022
COVID in schools and mandatory quarantining
Children forced home from school top quarantine: Yahoo News/YouGov poll, Poll: Nearly a quarter of U.S. parents say COVID has forced their kids to quarantine this school year, October 7, 2021
NOTE: The survey of 1,640 U.S. adults was conducted from October 1-4, 2021
Most parents are worried about their child getting sick: Yahoo News/YouGov poll, Poll: Nearly a quarter of U.S. parents say COVID has forced their kids to quarantine this school year, October 7, 2021
NOTE: The survey of 1,640 U.S. adults was conducted from October 1-4, 2021
Most parents support masks in schools: Yahoo News/YouGov poll, Poll: Nearly a quarter of U.S. parents say COVID has forced their kids to quarantine this school year, October 7, 2021
NOTE: The survey of 1,640 U.S. adults was conducted from October 1-4, 2021
COVID-19 pandemics impact on children's well-being
Pediatricians are sounding the alarm on children's mental health: American Academy of Pediatrics, AAP-AACAP-CHA Declaration of a National Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, October 19, 2021
Children’s ED visits during the pandemic: Leeb RT, Bitsko RH, Radhakrishnan L, Martinez P, Njai R, Holland KM. Mental Health–Related Emergency Department Visits Among Children Aged <18 Years During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, January 1–October 17, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:1675–1680.
140,000 children have lost a caregiver: National Institutes of Health (NIH), More than 140,000 U.S. children lost a primary or secondary caregiver due to the COVID-19 pandemic, October 7, 2021
American Indian, Black & Hispanic children were 4.5x more likely to lose a caregiver: National Institutes of Health (NIH), More than 140,000 U.S. children lost a primary or secondary caregiver due to the COVID-19 pandemic, October 7, 2021
Combating low vaccination rates and poor mental health
What mental health specialists can do
Reducing access and financial barriers: The White House, FACT SHEET: Improving Access and Care for Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Conditions, October 19, 2021
Integrate mental health into primary care: The White House, FACT SHEET: Improving Access and Care for Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Conditions, October 19, 2021
Invest in community-based mental health: The White House, FACT SHEET: Improving Access and Care for Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Conditions, October 19, 2021
Increase school-based behavioral supports: The White House, FACT SHEET: Improving Access and Care for Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Conditions, October 19, 2021
What primary care can do
Increase the number of pediatric providers offering the COVID vaccine: The Commonwealth Fund, Five Priorities for States to Support Pediatric Practices in Delivering COVID-19 Vaccines to Children, October 29, 2021
Encourage the vaccine at every doctor's visit: Anderson EL. Recommended solutions to the barriers to immunization in children and adults. Mo Med. 2014;111(4):344-348.
Implement a reminder/recall system: Anderson EL. Recommended solutions to the barriers to immunization in children and adults. Mo Med. 2014;111(4):344-348.
Increase partnerships between health care and community organizations: The Commonwealth Fund, Five Priorities for States to Support Pediatric Practices in Delivering COVID-19 Vaccines to Children, October 29, 2021
What schools can do
School based mental health programs: MentalHealth.gov, For Educators, March 22, 2019
Educate and train teachers in mental health first aid: MentalHealth.gov, For Educators, March 22, 2019
What can schools do to fight the spread of COVID: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Know What to Expect at Your Child’s K-12 School or Early Care and Education Program, August 4, 2021
Mandate vaccinations among students and staff
Mask mandate on school grounds and transportation
Physical distancing, cohorts, and regular testing
What families can do
Recommendation to protect unvaccinated family members : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Families and COVID-19, November 3, 2021
Wear a mask in indoor settings: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Families and COVID-19, November 3, 2021
Choose outdoor activites: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Families and COVID-19, November 3, 2021
Teach kids to wash their hands: Parents, 8 Ways to Decrease Your Family's Chances of Getting the Coronavirus, October 7, 2021
Talk to children about COVID: National Association of School Psychologists, Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19, 2020
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