What are the side effects of the Pfizer vaccine?
CDC Urges RSV, Flu, Covid Vaccinations As U.S. Cases Rise
The CDC has issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory to make sure healthcare providers are aware of the current low vaccination rates for influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV.
According to the CDC, low vaccination rates, coupled with ongoing increased national and international respiratory disease activity caused by multiple pathogens, including influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV, could lead to more severe disease and increased health care capacity strain in the coming weeks.
The CDC wants healthcare providers to strongly recommend immunizations to patients now, as well as treatment, testing, and other preventive measures to protect patients against respiratory diseases before holidays, social gatherings, or travel this winter.
Currently, the highest respiratory disease activity in the United States is occurring across the southern half of the country, with increasing activity in northern states, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Vaccinations can reduce the risk of severe disease, including pneumonia, hospitalization, and death due to Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV, according to the CDC.
Influenza vaccination coverage is low in all age groups and lower than rates compared to the same week of the 2022-2023 season.
As of mid-November 2023, there were 7 million fewer influenza vaccine doses administered to adults in pharmacies and physician offices, as compared with the 2022-2023 influenza season.
Healthcare providers are being asked to recommend and provide immunizations against influenza, COVID-19, RSV (for pregnant people and infants), pneumococcal disease, and pertussis to all eligible patients as soon as possible. In addition, providers are advised to talk to their patients 60 years and older about whether RSV vaccination is right for them.
The CDC says everyone 6 months and older should receive a 2023-2024 seasonal influenza vaccine.
Most people need only one dose for the season. Some children 6 months-8 years need two doses spaced 4 weeks apart.
Adults 65 years and older should receive high dose, adjuvanted, or recombinant influenza vaccine, if available.
While vaccination is the primary means for preventing influenza, COVID-19, and RSV, antiviral medications are important adjuncts used to treat persons with severe illness and those at increased risk for complications. Both influenza and COVID-19 antiviral medications are most effective in reducing complications when treatment is started as early as possible after symptom onset.
Everyday prevention measures include washing hands, staying home when sick, and wearing a well-fitting mask if you choose to wear a mask.
Use Vaccines.Gov to find a location to receive COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
Uninsured and underinsured adults can receive COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to them through CDC's Bridge Access Program.
Respiratory Infections Spreading In Winter: CDC Cautions Low Vaccination Rates Against RSV, COVID, Influenza
Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sounded an alarm about the increasing rate of hospitalisations owing to the winter respiratory infection trifecta of influenza, SARS-Cov-2, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The CDC relayed that these three infections have been causing severe illness across the globe and putting a massive burden on healthcare facilities.
In response, the CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to alert healthcare providers about the low vaccination rates against these three infections, attributing this as a major reason for the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Respiratory Infections In WinterThe CDC's advisory further cautioned that COVID-19 can cause Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C). The organisation shared that MIS-C is a 'rare but serious condition' which causes inflammation in the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs of the body. To protect children from MIS, the CDC has advised a rampant increase in immunisation against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV.
In addition, the advisory recommended the following steps to stop the spread of respiratory infections:
Now one question may arise- whether is it safe to get all three vaccines at the same time. The simple answer is- Yes! CDC shares that this is the best way for most people to stay up to date with their vaccinations. However, there is no scientific research or data that can vouch for this, CDC is closely monitoring the possibility of adverse reactions, and so far, there are none.
Although, all vaccines, like all pharmaceutical products, can have side effects. So, getting all three RSV, influenza, and COVID vaccines at once does present the possibility of increasing the risk of side effects.
According to a study conducted by CDC's COVID-19 Response Team, participants showed an increased likelihood of side effects from an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine administered together. However, the side effects were mild and short-lived, typically ranging from arm pain and swelling to headache and fatigue.
Also Read: Did You Get Influenza Virus? Here's What You Need To Know
CDC Releases More RSV Vaccines As Cases Spike In Some States
FILE - This electron microscope image provided by the National Institutes of Health shows human respiratory syncytial virus virions, colorized blue, and anti-RSV F protein/gold antibodies, colorized yellow, shedding from the surface of human lung cells. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH via AP, File)
WASHINGTON (TND) —
U.S. Health officials said Thursday they will be releasing more vaccines for infants suffering from respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, as cases spike in some parts of the country.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a news release that over 77,000 additional doses of Beyfortus, a recently-approved monoclonal antibody, will be distributed to physicians and hospitals to help protect against the disease. The CDC put out a health advisory at the end of October warning that the new drug was in short supply.
Read MoreRSV commonly causes mild cold-like symptoms and most people recover within a week or two. But the risk is higher for infants and older adults, the CDC says, with the two groups much more likely to need hospitalization.
The CDC estimates between 60,000 and 160,000 older adults are hospitalized due to RSV and 6,000 to 10,000 people die from it. An estimated 58,000 to 80,000 children younger than 5 are also hospitalized from the virus, and 100 to 300 kids die.
Dr. Laura Romano at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, told the Associated Press that children and parents have had to wait 10 or more hours in the emergency department's waiting room. She said kids are presenting sicker than in previous years and more are in need of oxygen.
"Last week, we had 25 kids who were waiting in the emergency room who had been admitted for a bed upstairs, including five who needed to go to our intensive care unit," she said. "We just do not have beds for them."
Dr. Jim Fortenberry, chief medical officer of the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta hospital system in Georgia, also told the AP that the system is in "surge" due to increased cases of RSV and there is a high volume of patients.
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"Our emergency departments, our urgent cares are extremely busy. The pediatricians' offices are extremely busy too," Fortenberry said.
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