Preliminary data gathered by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that the flu shot has been around 68 percent potent at averting hospitalizations among children. However, it has been less defensive for senior citizens this season. A study has found that the flu vaccine has been only 35 percent effective in averting hospitalization among senior citizens in one study.
While the other study has shown that it has been only 42 percent efficient in protecting senior citizens from severe flu infection. The first study has revealed that the flu shot has been only 44 percent effective in alleviating the risk of hospitalization among senior citizens who are dealing with a weak immune system. While the other study has found that the vaccine was only 30 percent successful in averting hospitalization among senior citizens with compromised immune systems.
Experts from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have said that this season, the flu has hit the country quite early. The rate of hospitalization reached its peak in December 2022 and has been declining since then. As per the CDC data, this season, the flu has led to 25 million incidents, 280,000 hospital admissions, and 18,000 fatalities since October. More than 100 kids as well have lost their lives during this flu season. Flu incidents shot up last fall after two years in which the virus transmitted at low levels as the masking mandate and social distancing protocols were put in place amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The chief of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, Dr. Jose Romero has said that the concurrent transmission of the respiratory syncytial virus, COVID-19 infection, and the flu has laid significant pressure on healthcare facilities, and drug supply chains in the United States. While addressing an independent advisory committee of the CDC, Dr. Jose Romero has said that after a passing and expected surge of hospital admissions and incidents during holidays, health professionals are now witnessing a sustained reduction in incidents of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV and hospitalizations linked to these infections on a national level.
He has said that although flu activity is reducing at present, there is a possibility that a second wave of influenza might hit the country towards the end of the season as has been seen in the past. Children and senior citizens are usually at the greatest risk of severe infection from the flu. As per the latest CDC data, nearly 52 percent of kids and 70 percent of elderly people have been given a flu shot as of late January. Experts from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have suggested seasonal influenza immunization for everybody who is 6 months and older.
An official from the CDC, Dr. Lisa Grohskopf has said that the efficiency of flu shots can diverge widely from season to season and it depends on how effectively the strains incorporated in the making of the flu shots are accorded to the circulating strains of the virus. She has stated that the shots and circulating flu strains are considerably well accorded this season.
Healthcare facilities were smashed last fall due to the concurrent transmission of COVID-19 infection, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. Looking at the surge in infections related to COVID-19 infection, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) advised the Biden administration to announce a public health emergency in November 2022 and termed the surge in hospitalization among children as alarming.
Although COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots were widely accessible at that time, no vaccine is available for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). At present, many pharmaceutical firms are trying to come up with RSV shots for older people that might be authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this year. Pfizer as well as working on an RSV shot that will be able to protect infants from RSV infection. While Sanofi has approached the FDA to grant approval to an antibody known as nirsevimab which will protect children who are up to two years old.
ABOUT AUTHOR
Over 4 years’ experience in the research industry. Experience with research and consulting projects, catering to domains such as ICT, Health & Pharma, and packaging. Managed projects on both B2B as well as B2C perspectives, which includes consumer preference analysis, interviews with key executives, etc
