Should kids get COVID boosters?

In an interview with Charlie Kirk, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary claims that there is no solid evidence supporting COVID boosters for healthy children and suggests that it was only recommended to bring hidden protections for vaccine makers.

The video claims that there is no good evidence showing that giving another COVID booster to young, healthy children is helpful. This is misleading.

Studies have shown that COVID vaccines help prevent severe illness in children, including reducing the risk of hospitalization and severe outcomes like multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). While hospitalization rates for COVID-19 are generally lower in children than adults, they are still significant, particularly among young children and infants who have not yet developed robust immune defenses. Clinical trials and real-world data support the vaccine’s efficacy in reducing severe outcomes.

Stories like Ethan’s remind us why it’s worth protecting children against the worst effects of COVID.

But do other countries already recommend against giving the COVID vaccine to healthy children? This is partially true. Countries like Germany and Greece recommend COVID vaccines for children six months and older, and many countries in Europe recommend the vaccine for children over 5 years old. But when thinking about European recommendations, we have to remember that healthcare is free and easy to access for many people in Europe, and the U.S. is considering adding work requirements to Medicaid.

Finally, the video suggests that if the COVID vaccine is added to the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule, it automatically gives vaccine makers immunity from lawsuits, and this is somehow sinister. This is misleading.

In the U.S., a special program called the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) helps people who vaccines may have harmed. This program exists because vaccines protect public health, and very rare adverse reactions can occur. However, vaccine makers are not free from responsibility—this system ensures claims can be handled fairly without discouraging companies from developing vaccines that save lives.

In summary, the video makes several claims that leave out key information. COVID vaccines have been shown to help protect children, though the benefits vary depending on age and health. Some countries made different choices based on their situations, and legal protections for vaccines are in place to keep people safe and the public protected.