Important: VAERS reports alone cannot determine if a vaccine caused an adverse event. Reports may contain incomplete, inaccurate, or unverified information. Correlation does not equal causation.
Age Patterns in VAERS Reports
Who reports the most adverse events, and who experiences the most serious outcomes? Age is one of the most important factors in understanding VAERS data.
The Age Distribution
VAERS reports span all ages, from newborns to the elderly. But the distribution is far from uniform. Adults aged 18-49 file the most reports (558,025), which makes sense given this is the largest demographic group.
However, when we look at serious outcomes, the picture shifts dramatically. The 65+ age group accounts for 56% of all death reports and 40% of hospitalizations, despite representing just 20% of total reports.
The Infant Question (0-2 Years)
The 0-2 age group has 149,466 reports with 3,406 death reports. This is a significant number that requires careful context:
- Intensive vaccination schedule: Infants receive more vaccine doses in their first two years than any other period, creating more temporal associations
- SIDS overlap: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) naturally peaks in the 2-4 month age range — the same period as many infant vaccinations. Temporal coincidence is expected
- Mandatory reporting: Healthcare providers are required to report certain events in this age group, increasing the reporting rate
- Heightened parental vigilance: Parents of young children may be more likely to report any health concern following vaccination
Why the Elderly Have More Serious Outcomes
The concentration of death reports in the 65+ group reflects a fundamental reality: older adults have higher baseline mortality rates. When millions of elderly people are vaccinated, some will experience serious health events purely by coincidence in the days and weeks following vaccination.
During the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the elderly were prioritized for early vaccination. This population was already at highest risk for COVID-19 and had the highest baseline mortality rate. The temporal proximity of vaccination and natural health events creates inevitable coincidental reports.
Key Takeaways
- 1.Adults 65+ have the highest rate of serious outcomes in VAERS, reflecting higher baseline health risks
- 2.Infant reports are driven by intensive vaccination schedules and mandatory reporting, not necessarily higher risk
- 3.Age-related patterns in VAERS largely mirror age-related patterns in general health outcomes