Biotech
Thursday, December 21st, 2023 5:12 pm EDT
Key Points
- Current Respiratory Virus Trends and Peak Timing: Dr. Mandy Cohen, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), highlights a sharp increase in flu levels, particularly in the southern United States. Covid cases are also on the rise nationally, while cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) appear to have reached their highest point for the season. The pattern this year differs from the previous one, with RSV peaking earlier. Flu infection rates, starting early in October 2022, peaked in late November and early December.
- Comparison of Severity and Impact: The severity of respiratory illnesses, including RSV and Covid, appears similar to the previous year. While Covid is causing the most hospitalizations and deaths among the viruses, it is not notably more severe than the same period last year. The emergence of the JN.1 variant, accounting for 21% of national Covid cases, raises concerns due to its higher transmissibility. However, vaccines, particularly the updated Covid vaccine, are expected to offer good protection against the variant. Dr. Cohen emphasizes the importance of vaccination and alerts healthcare providers about low vaccination rates for Covid, flu, and RSV.
- Vaccination Rates and Recommendations for Holiday Gatherings: The article provides insights into vaccination rates for Covid, flu, and RSV. Only 18% of adults and 8% of children aged 6 months and above have received updated Covid shots, available since September. The CDC report indicates promising results for this year’s flu shot, reducing the risk of flu hospitalizations by 52% in the Southern Hemisphere. RSV vaccines, new this year, are limited to pregnant people and adults aged 60 and above, with a reported 17% of older adults having received RSV shots as of December 9. Dr. Cohen underscores the importance of considering not only individual infection risk but also the risks to those individuals will be celebrating with during holiday travel and gatherings, emphasizing the need for a collective approach to mitigating the spread of respiratory illnesses.
As winter officially begins, concerns arise regarding the expected increase in flu and Covid cases, according to Dr. Mandy Cohen, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The U.S. is currently experiencing a notable surge in flu levels, particularly in the southern regions, and there is a simultaneous climb in Covid cases on a national scale. Additionally, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has reached its highest point this season, although it appears to be peaking earlier than in the previous year.
In contrast to the pattern observed last year when flu, Covid, and RSV peaked simultaneously, this year presents a different trajectory. Flu infection rates, which began early in October, peaked in late November and early December. RSV infections, which typically peak in winter, similarly reached their highest point in November. Notably, pediatric hospitals are not experiencing strains related to RSV, indicating a more typical season compared to the previous year when a surge in severe RSV illnesses overwhelmed children’s hospitals.
Covid infections this season resemble the previous year, with hospitalizations and deaths attributed to Covid not appearing more severe than the same period last year. However, concerns arise about the JN.1 variant, accounting for around 21% of Covid cases nationally. This variant is considered more transmissible, although vaccines are expected to provide effective protection. The CDC emphasizes the importance of getting updated Covid vaccines to align with evolving virus strains.
Vaccination rates for Covid, flu, and RSV remain a concern, with the CDC alerting healthcare providers about low vaccination rates. Only 18% of adults and 8% of children aged 6 months and above have received updated Covid shots, available since September. The flu shot for this year appears promising, reducing the risk of flu hospitalizations by 52% in the Southern Hemisphere.
As for RSV vaccines, which are new this year, only pregnant individuals and adults aged 60 and above are eligible. However, as of December 9, only 17% of older adults have received RSV shots. Challenges such as insurance coverage and availability in pharmacies or doctors’ offices are reported issues, with an injectable RSV drug for infants facing a supply shortage in October.
Addressing holiday travel and gatherings, Dr. Cohen advises individuals to consider not only their own infection risk but also the risks to those they will be celebrating with. Factors such as the health status of family members, colleagues, or friends should be taken into account when making decisions about holiday plans, emphasizing a collective responsibility in mitigating the spread of respiratory illnesses during the winter season.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/21/cdc-director-says-us-isnt-yet-near-peak-covid-or-flu-levels-for-the-season.html
