CDC issues advisory on urgent need to increase vaccination rates for flu, COVID, and RSV

CDC alerted health care professionals concerning the important need to get Americans vaccinated against influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) during the 2023–2024 cold season.

According to the agency, respiratory disease activity is trending up, but vaccination rates are trending low.

As of November 18, 2023, pharmacies and physician’s offices had administered 7.4 million fewer doses of influenza vaccine than during the same period of the previous cycle.

Meanwhile, just 17.2% of U.S. adults, 9.6% of pregnant parents, and 7.7% of minors aged 6 months to 17 years have received the latest COVID-19 vaccines as of December 2, 2023. Only 15.9% of adults who are 60 years or older are protected against RSV.

The imbalance of disease activity and low immunization uptake is setting the scene for more severe illness and a greater burden on the U.S. health care system, CDC warned.

Already, hospital admissions for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV are up by 200%, 51%, and 60%, respectively, just over the past 4 weeks.

CDC is urging providers to immunize patients in accordance with guidelines now and to recommend antiviral treatment for influenza and COVID-19 when appropriate.