(NewsNation) — Americans should expect this year’s winter virus season to be similar to last year, with experts advising everyone to stay up to date on vaccines for COVID, the flu and RSV.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that while the virus that causes COVID continues to evolve faster than other viruses, this year’s summer surge has not led to an increase in emergency room visits, hospitalizations or deaths.
That suggests that despite speedy mutations, vaccines and prior infections are continuing to provide people with protection. The agency’s forecast for the upcoming respiratory virus season suggests combined hospitalizations from COVID, flu and RSV are expected to be similar to or lower than the previous winter, though CDC Director Mandy Cohen cautioned that the forecast is based on factors that could change, including vaccination rates and mutations.
“We are better prepared and have more tools than ever for people to protect themselves from COVID, flu and RSV,” she said.
The CDC recommends COVID and flu vaccines for all Americans old enough to receive them and RSV vaccines for those who are at increased risk, including the elderly, young children and pregnant people. People should try to get vaccinated in September or October to protect against winter viruses.
The RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine, so those who were previously vaccinated do not have to do so again. The shot is recommended for babies and young children, those over 75 and those ages 60 to 74 who are at increased risk. There is also a maternal vaccine for those in the later stages of pregnancy, which allows immunity to be passed along to newborn infants.
For most previously vaccinated people, the CDC recommends one updated dose of the COVID vaccine as well as a flu vaccine. Children ages six months to four years may need more than one dose, depending on age and previous vaccination status. There should be at least two months between doses of the COVID vaccine.
The government’s home COVID test program will also be opening again this winter, with people able to request four free at-home COVID tests through covidtest.gov. The agency noted that testing is critical for both flu and COVID because while there are treatments available for both illnesses, they must be taken shortly after symptoms appear to be effective.
Additional government funding is also being made available to provide vaccines to uninsured or underinsured people. The CDC recommends that people concerned about being able to afford yearly vaccines contact their local public health department or federally qualified health center to find out about affordable options.
When it comes to flu, the CDC is also ramping up efforts on subtyping, with the expectation that commercial labs will be equipped to test for bird flu, along with other subtypes, before this winter.
The CDC says it is safe to get the flu and COVID vaccines at the same time and that the upcoming booster is expected to provide good protection against currently circulating variants.
A focus is being made on getting people vaccinated, as vaccine rates have dropped since the height of the pandemic. In addition to protecting against severe COVID, the COVID vaccine also appears to reduce the risk of long COVID, with current estimates suggesting vaccinated people are 50% less likely to develop long COVID.
While some people may opt out of vaccines because they believe they are at low rise, CDC officials noted that 80% of adults have an underlying condition that can increase the risk of severe COVID and that long COVID can affect people of all ages, including those in their 30s and 40s.
