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Wednesday, Mar. 16, 2022

Have fewer than 100 kids aged 5-11 died from COVID-19 annually?

Lisa Freedland, Gigafact
no

In the U.S. alone, 385 children aged 5-11 have died from COVID-19 in the two years since the start of the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Additionally, 537 children under five years of age have died from COVID-19 in the U.S.

Children under 11 are a small percentage of overall deaths, making up 10% of cases since the pandemic began but 0.1% of deaths.

Children aged 5-11 "are at least as likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 as adults," the CDC reported in November. High transmission rates are explained by frequent interaction with family and schoolmates.

Children are at risk of developing a COVID-19-induced ailment, MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children). Children vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to develop MIS-C.

Experts continue to recommend children receive vaccinations to reduce their risk of severe illness and death.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

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