Vaccine News & Notes — April 2024

A little discussed effect of COVID-19 infection in children

About two to six weeks after a COVID-19 infection, a very small number of children experience a condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C. (Adults can also experience this syndrome in whom it’s called MIS-A.) Affected patients experience fever and one or more symptoms like stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea; bloodshot eyes; skin rash; or dizziness or lightheadedness. Some symptoms requiring emergency medical attention can also appear, such as trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, severe abdominal pain, inability to wake up or stay awake, or pale or grayish-blue skin color. MIS-C typically affects multiple organs, including eyes, brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, skin or organs associated with digestion.

MIS-C can occur following any COVID-19 infection (mild, moderate or severe). Early in the pandemic, it became clear that a recent COVID-19 infection increased one’s risk for this condition, so medical professionals have been monitoring cases ever since. A recent report offered some important updates:

• While cases had decreased from their height in late 2020 and early 2021, reports recently increased — coincident with a spike in COVID-19 infections in the fall of 2023.
• During 2023, 117 children were diagnosed with MIS-C. About half of them were admitted to the intensive care unit. Three children died.
• About 8 of every 10 children affected with MIS-C were not vaccinated against COVID-19 even though they were old enough to have been vaccinated.
• Of the vaccinated children who experienced MIS-C, about 6 of 10 had received their vaccine more than one year prior.
• Almost 6 of every 10 children affected had no underlying medical conditions.
• The functioning of the child’s heart was affected in about 3 of every 10 cases. Likewise, about 3 or 4 of every 10 children suffered shock, meaning their organs were not getting enough blood for a period of time.

These findings are important for families to consider, particularly given that many children remain unvaccinated against COVID-19.

Find out more:

• Read the report.
• Find out more about MIS-C and MIS-A.

17 states have had cases of measles in early 2024

Measles, probably the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, continues to circulate throughout the U.S. As of mid-March 2024, 17 states have reported 64 cases of measles — already surpassing the number reported in all of 2023 (58 cases). Adding to this concern is the steady drumbeat of cases each week. Every week since the beginning of December 2023, at least one case of measles has been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Find out more:

• CDC webpage, “Measles Cases and Outbreaks”
• Info and resources about measles from the Vaccine Education Center (VEC)

70 years spent in an iron lung

Have you heard of Paul Alexander? Chances are you have not. Paul passed away on March 11, 2024, at the age of 78. Since the age of 6, Mr. Alexander survived with the use of an iron lung, a machine that many have not heard of, and those who have, often associate the machine with history. An iron lung is a machine designed to help people breathe when their diaphragm no longer functioned due to paralytic polio. The individual lays inside of the machine with only their head sticking out.

Paul’s story is one of inspiration for all he accomplished during his life, including completing college and becoming a lawyer. But his life is also a reminder of a disease that rarely affects children in the U.S. today because of effective vaccinations. Late in his life, Paul had trouble getting parts for his iron lung, and although he had trained his muscles to allow for short periods spent out of the contraption, he still needed it to stay alive when he slept and as he got older, when he needed to again spend most of his time in the machine.

Find out more about Paul’s inspiring story in these articles from The Washington Post or The Guardian or in his memoir, Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung.

Find out more about polio and the vaccine from the VEC.