Is there any data yet about the specific impact of the Delta variant on coronavirus risks for children under 12?

The more transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus appears to pose a greater risk for children under 12. Vaccines for that age group have not yet been authorized in the U.S., and the variant is known to pose a greater risk of infection to all unvaccinated people.

But data is not yet clear about the variant’s impact on serious illness and death for that age group. The variant has only recently become prevalent in the U.S., and deaths may occur weeks after initial infections.

To date, adolescents and children have accounted for relatively fewer confirmed infections by earlier strains of the virus, and have been much less likely than older people to become seriously ill or to die from COVID-19. Through July 7, the Centers for Disease Control reports that Americans under 18, who are 22% of the population, account for 12.5% of known infections and 0.1% of confirmed deaths.

While those rates are relatively low, most health authorities presume that a more contagious virus puts all unvaccinated people at greater risks, including children, and advise they should continue to use precautions such as face masks.