Pediatric Hepatitis VAERS Reports Often Labeled Serious
A study found pediatric hepatitis reports in the VAERS database were more frequently classified as serious than adult cases.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Children’s Health
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Researchers analyzing data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) found that pediatric reports of hepatitis were more likely to be classified as serious compared to reports from adults. The study examined 529 reports submitted between 1990 and 2026 to better understand how vaccine type and patient age correlate with reported outcomes.
Why it matters
This analysis aimed to bridge an evidence gap regarding how age and vaccine type relate to the seriousness of reported hepatitis cases. However, researchers noted that the available data cannot confirm whether vaccines directly cause an increased risk of hepatitis.
In a cross-sectional study of 529 VAERS reports from 1990 to 2026, 37.8% were classified as serious, including 26 reports of death. Researchers utilized Pearson's chi-square tests to evaluate seriousness by age, sex, and onset interval, though 33.7% of reports lacked known onset times.
The players
VAERS
A national early-warning system co-managed by the CDC and FDA that monitors the safety of vaccines in the United States.
ACIP
A group of medical and public health experts that provides advice and guidance to the CDC regarding the control of vaccine-preventable diseases.
The details
Researchers queried the CDC's Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research interface to identify reports coded with the term hepatitis. The analysis included reports listing various vaccines, with 50.5% involving hepatitis B vaccines and 25.3% involving COVID-19 vaccines. Factors such as patient age were significant, with two-thirds of reports for infants under one year categorized as serious, and 55.1% of reports for children aged 6 to 17 years meeting the same threshold.
Timeline
The study analyzed reports submitted to the VAERS database from 1990 through 2026.
Data processing for the study concluded on April 24, 2026.
VAERS reporting for this condition reached a peak of 68 reports in 2021.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted on hepatitis B birth dose guidance in December 2025.
Health Landscape
This study utilized the CDC's Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) interface to analyze trends in pediatric health reports over several decades. It reflects a growing reliance on large-scale, secondary analysis of passive surveillance systems to identify patterns in vaccine safety monitoring.
Understanding the nature of passive reporting systems like VAERS is essential for interpreting safety data correctly. Any concerns regarding vaccine safety or unexplained symptoms in a child are best addressed in a direct conversation with your pediatrician.
The takeaway
While this study highlights the classification of reports in a surveillance database, it does not establish a causal link between vaccines and hepatitis. If your child is experiencing symptoms, focus on consulting with a physician to determine the cause through clinical evaluation.
Further reading
For more information on monitoring health trends, see the Children’s Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ajmc.
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