The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent out a “health advisory” on Dec. 14 regarding “low vaccination rates” for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19.
The agency stated that the relatively low vaccination rates “could lead to more severe disease and increased healthcare capacity strain in the coming weeks” and “reports of increased respiratory disease have been described in multiple countries recently.”
“Healthcare providers should administer influenza, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations now to patients if recommended,” the CDC stated.
The CDC is tracking “increased respiratory disease activity in the United States for several respiratory pathogens,” but it made no mention of China or a rise in mysterious pediatric pneumonia cases in the country in recent weeks. The agency mentioned only influenza, RSV, and COVID-19.
“In the past 4 weeks, hospitalizations among all age groups increased by 200 percent for influenza, 51 percent for COVID-19, and 60 percent for RSV,” it stated.
Historical data show that the recent increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations appears to be relatively low compared with previous increases during the pandemic.
“Infants, older adults, pregnant people, and people with certain underlying medical conditions remain at increased risk of severe COVID-19 and influenza disease. Infants and older adults remain at highest risk of severe RSV disease; it is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States,” the CDC bulletin reads.
Other than vaccines, healthcare providers should recommend antiviral medications for influenza and COVID-19 for all eligible patients, especially older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions, according to the CDC.
