CNN Health: As COVID-19 Cases Rise Among Teens, So Do Vaccinations

CNN Health recently spoke with Priya Soni, MD, assistant professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Cedars-Sinai, about the increasing number of teenagers getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Adolescents began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations in May after children ages 12-15 became eligible for the shot under an emergency use authorization issued by the Food and Drug Administration. But shortly thereafter, reports emerged of a possible link between the vaccine and myocarditis—inflammation of the heart—in boys. This caused a drop in the number of teens getting vaccinated.

But teenagers are once more getting vaccinated in large numbers—likely driven by a spike in COVID-19 among teens. In August, the number of COVID-19 cases among those 12 to 15 years old increased to 14.6 cases per 100,000—almost five times the rate seen in June, according to CNN. That dramatic increase could have persuaded more parents to get their children vaccinated.

"In my opinion, and from what I have seen amongst my teenage patients, many are eager to now get vaccinated because they understand the urgency of doing this before the school year starts," Soni told CNN. "This reasoning, combined with the understanding that the delta variant is propelling this pandemic into another surge, they are now more eager than ever to rely on what science has taught us time and time again: vaccines work.”

The end result: Teens now make up about 32% of the population who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. That's great news to Soni.

"Ultimately in weighing the pros and cons of starting the school year without the protection against COVID-19, many teens and parents are taking the plunge that sets them up for the best chance at a successful, healthy school year," Soni told CNN.

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