What could go wrong?
ED
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia runs a program, “Close Your Eyes, We’ll Immunize,” that offers parental-consent flu vaccinations (and plans to add COVID-19 and RSV shots) to children while they are under sedation or anesthesia.
- Critics said that vaccinating sedated children is irresponsible because side effects (such as fevers or rashes) could be confused with severe reactions to anesthetic drugs, compounding surgical stress and inflammation.
- Pediatricians and health advocates criticized the program’s branding and questioned the depth of informed consent, given that stressed parents face time constraints during preoperative discussions.
- Program leaders reported delivering thousands of doses and generating over $60,000 during the 2024-2025 season, while similar initiatives are being adopted or tested by other children’s hospitals across the U.S.