Facing a โคTripledemic: RSV, Flu, and COVID Vaccination Guidance
This fall and winter, public health officials areโ preparing for โa potential “tripledemic” – a simultaneous surge inโ cases ofโค Respiratory Syncytial โVirus (RSV), influenza (flu), andโข COVID-19. Fortunately, โขvaccinations โฃareโ available for all three viruses, and experts encourage individuals to stay up-to-date on their immunizations.
For the first time,an RSV vaccine isโข available,offering protection particularly for โคvulnerable populations. Unlike the annual flu and COVID vaccinations, which are routinely โขrecommended, the RSV shot represents a new preventativeโค measure. Data from last year demonstrate the effectiveness of โฃthe RSV immunization, showing significant reductions in hospitalization rates for infants. Studies also indicate the vaccine effectively prevents symptomatic illness in adults aged 65 and older.
dr. Chin-Hong recommends the RSV vaccine for everyone โ75 and older, andโ suggests it’s beneficial for those โbetween โ50 โฃand 74 with underlying heart or lung disease, or those who are immunocompromised.
Health โคprofessionals advise receiving all eligible vaccines – RSV, flu, andโ COVID-19 – during โฃthe same healthcare visit to maximizeโ protection and โขavoid scheduling โdifficulties. Annual flu vaccines are recommended for everyone six monthsโ of โage and older.
COVID-19 vaccination remains widely available and isโฃ recommended by the โCalifornia โขDepartment of Publicโ Health for โindividuals 65 โขand up, infants aged 6 โคmonths to 23 months, children and โteenagers who haven’t been previously vaccinated, and โคthose with specific healthโค risk factors orโ close contact โขwith individuals who do. The department also specifically recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women. Older adults can receive a COVID-19 vaccination โevery six months.
Recent concerns about COVID-19 vaccine availability stemmed from โขinitial,confusing guidance from agencies overseen by Health and Human Services โขSecretary robert F. Kennedy jr. A delay in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issuing recommendations, following Food and Drug governance (FDA) approvalโ limited initially to those 65 and olderโ and individuals withโค health conditions, led to temporary access issuesโฃ in some areas.There was even discussion within the CDC Advisory Committee โon Immunization Practices regarding potentially restricting โthe vaccine to prescription-onyl access.
Though, on October 6th, acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill lifted the agency’s restrictive proposal, shifting to a model of โ”individual-based decision-making” in consultation with healthcare professionals. California has also clarified state law to ensure pharmacists can independently administerโฃ the COVID-19 vaccine.
Currently, both pharmacists and California health officials report that securing COVID-19 vaccinations is โฃrelatively easy, with patients able to discuss theirโ individual needs and risks with a healthcare professional at pharmacies.
