The CDC Warns of ‘Urgent Need’ for Vaccinations to Fight Respiratory Illnesses This Winter

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there is an “urgent need” for vaccinations to fight respiratory illnesses this winter.

Earlier this week, the organization issued a health alert to doctors across the United States, urging them to encourage their patients to get vaccinated to protect against COVID, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for the rest of the season.

“Low vaccination rates, together with a steady increase in national and international activity of respiratory diseases caused by multiple pathogens, including influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and RSV, can lead to more serious diseases and increase the strain on health care capacities in in the coming weeks,” the CDC said. “Healthcare providers should administer influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations to patients now, if recommended. Health care providers should recommend influenza and COVID-19 antivirals for all eligible patients, particularly patients at high risk of progression to severe disease, such as the elderly and people with certain underlying medical conditions,” the organization added.

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Vaccine.

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According to the CDC, there has been an increase in hospitalizations among all age groups related to respiratory illnesses in the last four weeks.

There was a 200% increase in hospitalizations due to the flu, a 51% jump for COVID and a 60% increase for RSV, according to the organization.

“Currently, the greatest respiratory disease activity in the United States occurs in the southern half of the country, with increasing activity in northern states,” the CDC said.

There were also 12 reported pediatric deaths from the flu and 30 reports of MIS-Ca, a rare complication that usually occurs a month after infection with COVID, the organization added.

The person should receive the vaccine.

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As of November 18, about 36% of both adults and children have received the flu shot this year, according to the CDC. Compared to 2022, about 7 million fewer adults received the vaccine in 2023, the health organization said. As for COVID, 17% of adults and about 8% of children have received the latest round, according to CDC data as of Dec. 2.

Meanwhile, only about 16% of adults age 60 and older have received the new RSV vaccine, the CDC found.

Key reasons for low vaccination coverage, the CDC said, citing a national survey, include a lack of provider referrals, concerns about side effects and lack of time or forgetting to get vaccinated.Several large studies have shown that vaccines are safe. There is no scientific link between vaccines and autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education