Results of safety monitoring of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccine in U.S. children aged 5-17 years
Authors: Hu Mao , Wong Hui Lee , Feng Yuhui , Lloyd Patricia C. , Smith Elizabeth R. , Amend Kandace L. , Kline Annemarie , Beachler Daniel C. , Gruber Joann F. , Mitra Mahasweta , Seeger John D. , Harris Charlalynn , Secora Alex , Obidi Joyce , Wang Jing , Song Jennifer , McMahill-Walraven Cheryl N. , Reich Christian , McEvoy Rowan , Do Rose , Chillarige Yoganand , Clifford Robin , Cooper Danielle D , Shoaibi Azadeh , Forshee Richard , Anderson Steven A. 
Published: October 2022

Importance

Active monitoring of health outcomes following COVID-19 vaccination offers early detection of rare outcomes that may not be identified in pre-licensure trials.

Objective

To conduct near-real time monitoring of health outcomes following BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination in the U.S. pediatric population aged 5-17 years.

Design

We conducted rapid cycle analysis of 20 pre-specified health outcomes, 13 of which underwent sequential testing and 7 of which were monitored descriptively within a cohort of vaccinated individuals. We tested for increased risk of each health outcome following vaccination compared to a historical baseline, while adjusting for repeated looks at the data as well as claims processing delay.

Setting

This is a population-based study in three large commercial claims databases conducted under the U.S. FDA public health surveillance mandate.

Participants

The study included over 3 million enrollees aged 5-17 years with BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination through mid-2022 in three commercial claims databases. We required continuous enrollment in a medical health insurance plan from the start of an outcome-specific clean window to the COVID-19 vaccination.

Exposure

Exposure was defined as receipt of a BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine dose. The primary analysis assessed primary series doses together (Dose 1 + Dose 2), and dose-specific secondary analyses were conducted. Follow up time was censored for death, disenrollment, end of risk window, end of study period, or a subsequent vaccine dose.

Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)

We monitored 20 pre-specified health outcomes. We performed descriptive monitoring for all outcomes and sequential testing for 13 outcomes.

Results

Among 13 health outcomes evaluated by sequential testing, 12 did not meet the threshold for a statistical signal in any of the three databases. In our primary analysis, myocarditis/pericarditis signaled following primary series vaccination with BNT162b2 in ages 12-17 years across all three databases.

Conclusions and Relevance

Consistent with published literature, our near-real time monitoring identified a signal for only myocarditis/pericarditis following BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination in children aged 12-17 years. This method is intended for early detection of safety signals. Our results are reassuring of the safety of the vaccine, and the potential benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.

Key Points

Question

Did active monitoring detect potentially elevated risk of health outcomes following BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination in the U.S. pediatric population aged 5-17 years?

Findings

Twelve of 13 health outcomes did not meet the safety signal threshold following BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination in three large commercial claims databases using near real-time monitoring. Myocarditis/pericarditis met the statistical threshold for a signal following primary series vaccination in ages 12-17 years.

Meaning

Results from near-real time monitoring of health outcomes following BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination provide additional reassuring evidence of vaccine safety in the pediatric population. The myocarditis/pericarditis signal is consistent with current evidence and is being further evaluated.