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How effective is the Pfizer vaccine against MIS-C in US adolescents?

high confidence  ·  Last reviewed May 16, 2026

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but serious condition that can occur weeks after a COVID-19 infection. In US adolescents, the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccine has been shown to provide strong protection against developing MIS-C. Studies from the CDC and other researchers found that two doses of the vaccine significantly reduce the risk of MIS-C in this age group.

What the research says

A CDC-led study published in 2022 used a test-negative case-control design at 24 pediatric hospitals across 20 states to evaluate vaccine effectiveness (VE) against MIS-C in adolescents aged 12-18 years during July-December 2021, when the Delta variant was dominant. The study found that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were 91% effective (95% CI: 78%-97%) against MIS-C 7. Another large case-control investigation covering July 2021 to April 2022 (including both Delta and Omicron periods) reported that full vaccination (two doses) was associated with a significantly decreased likelihood of MIS-C among children aged 12-18 years, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.10 (95% CI: 0.05-0.19), meaning vaccinated adolescents were about 90% less likely to develop MIS-C compared to unvaccinated peers 9. The same study found that protection persisted beyond 120 days after the second dose (aOR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.03-0.22) 9. An observational report from the CDC also noted that COVID-19 vaccination was associated with lower MIS-C incidence among adolescents 5. Importantly, these findings are specific to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and were observed during periods of Delta and Omicron variant predominance 79. The vaccine's effectiveness against MIS-C adds to its known benefits in preventing severe COVID-19 in this age group.

What to ask your doctor

  • Is my adolescent child up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters?
  • What are the signs and symptoms of MIS-C that I should watch for after a COVID-19 infection?
  • If my child has already had COVID-19, does vaccination still provide additional protection against MIS-C?
  • Are there any specific considerations for vaccinating my adolescent if they have a history of heart conditions or other chronic illnesses?
  • Where can I find the latest CDC recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents?

This question is drawn from common patient questions about Infectious Disease and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.