The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced initial estimates for influenza vaccine uptake among children and pregnant women for the 2021-2020 flu season are lower compared to the same time last season.
The reported 15% point drop in influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women and a 6% decrease in children could put many people at risk this flu season.
The CDC stated on October 27, 2021, this trend ‘could be dangerous for many of the people in these groups who may be at higher risk of developing serious influenza complications.’
Reduced Flu Shot Rates Raise Concerns at the U.S. CDC
Novel Influenza A Virus Confirmed in the U.S.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported two previous human infections with novel influenza A viruses.
One infection with an influenza A(H1N1) variant (A(H1N1)v) virus was reported by North Dakota that occurred during the 2020-21 influenza season.
And one infection with influenza (A(H3N2)v) virus was reported by Ohio that occurred during the current 2021-22 influenza season.
Both patients are younger than 18 years of age, were not hospitalized, and have recovered or are recovering from their illness.
Pneumonia & COVID-19 Far Exceed Influenza Fatalities
The latest data indicates the 2021 flu season has not arrived in America from the Southern Hemisphere, and neither have influenza-related fatalities.
Of the 15,625 samples tested by U.S. Public Health Laboratories last week, only two were positive for influenza viruses as of October 1, 2021.
Updated Recommendations for the Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announced recommendations for the routine use of influenza vaccine and antiviral medications to prevent and treat influenza in children during the 2021–2022 influenza season.
The AAP stated on September 7, 2021, it recommends annual influenza immunization of all children without medical contraindications, starting at six months of age.
Excerpts from the AAP statement are discussed below:
Flu Vaccine Candidate Demonstrated Multi-Seasonal, Seven-Year Drifted Influenza Strain Protection
Influenza H3N2 virus continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially for the older age groups, stated researchers in a new study published by The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Although seasonal influenza vaccines are evaluated annually for the need to update the immunization with antigenically contemporary strains, H3N2 vaccine efficacy (VE) with currently licensed vaccines continues to be lower than for H1N1 or B viruses.
When Should We Get Flu Shots This Year?
Since flu vaccines are most protective when the influenza season is intense, the timing of getting the annual vaccination is essential.
Unlike most flu seasons, predicting when the 2021-2022 flu season will reach the USA from the Southern Hemisphere is unknown, said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine committee on June 24, 2021. The CDC recently reported influenza cases were lower this year than any flu season since 2005.
Flu Shots and COVID-19 Vaccine Mix Very Well
A global leader in influenza prevention announced that the company co-authored the first study to demonstrate the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy profile of a COVID-19 vaccine when co-administered with a seasonal influenza vaccine.
Maryland-based Novavax, Inc. conducted the sub-study as part of a Phase 3 clinical trial of NVX-CoV2373, its recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
Maternal Influenza Vaccination Delivers Life-Long Benefits
Every year, influenza viruses cause substantial morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and neonates, stated an editorial published by The Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA).
To reduce influenza incidence in these vulnerable populations, the World Health Organization recommended in 2012 that countries prioritize pregnant women for influenza vaccination annually.
Pediatric Influenza Cases Increased Last Week
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today, the 2020-2021 influenza season has begun to accelerate in the pediatric population.
The CDC confirmed on May 14, 2021, the percentages of provider visits in Week #18 continued to increase for one age group (0–4 years) and remained stable for the remaining age groups compared with Week #17.
About 6% of provider visits for children were related to the seasonal flu.
COVID-19 Burden Greater Compared to Influenza
The Journal of General Internal Medicine published a study by physician-researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) that assessed the relative impact of COVID-19 on patients hospitalized with the viral infection versus patients hospitalized with influenza.
COVID-19 and influenza are both contagious respiratory viral diseases that can lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory failure in severe cases, says the U.S. CDC.