As the scorching heat waves of summer bear down on the nation, Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has her eyes set on the upcoming cold and flu season this winter.
Acknowledging the potential convergence of three respiratory viruses – Covid, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – health authorities are gearing up to educate the American public on how to safeguard themselves during this unprecedented health challenge.
Currently, the spread of all three viruses remains relatively low, but the CDC has detected slight increases in positive Covid tests and Covid-related emergency department visits.
Meanwhile, the decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations has plateaued, raising concerns as the nation navigates through various pandemic stages.
Of particular concern is the rise of the Omicron XBB subvariants, with the World Health Organization (WHO) recently identifying a new XBB version known as EG.5.
While there is limited information on EG.5, experts have yet to establish whether it causes more severe illness.
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CDC Navigating the Confluence of Viruses
Fortunately, the existing COVID-9 vaccines have demonstrated efficacy against this variant, providing some reassurance amid the uncertainty.
Adding to the complexity of the upcoming season, the US will now have access to vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a virus that disproportionately affects infants and older adults.
The sudden surge of RSV infections in late 2022 overwhelmed children’s hospitals, leading to unprecedented challenges in managing the healthcare system’s resources.
In an effort to combat RSV, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a monoclonal antibody injection for children up to age 2, offering a preventive measure against the virus.
Additionally, a potential RSV vaccine for pregnant women is on the horizon, with the aim of transferring protective antibodies to their babies, further bolstering the defense against RSV.
With the likelihood of requiring vaccinations against COVID-19, RSV, and the annual flu, the healthcare system faces a daunting task in effectively reaching the population amidst vaccine fatigue.
Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert and professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, acknowledges the challenges ahead.
Some individuals may be hesitant to receive three shots simultaneously, and while combining flu and COVID-19 vaccines doesn’t appear to reduce their efficacy, limited data suggests the RSV shot’s response may be impacted.
As the cold and flu season approaches, the uncertainty remains.
Last year’s early and rapid peak in flu cases served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of these viruses.
The Southern Hemisphere has witnessed a standard flu season so far, but its implications for the US are still unknown.
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Source: NBC via Yahoo News, Head Topics