The Tripledemic Threat: Protecting Against COVID-19, Flu, and RSV
October 5, 2023:
As we move into fall and winter, the threat of a “tripledemic” looms overhead. This refers to the simultaneous increase in cases of COVID-19, flu, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). To address this pressing issue, top CDC experts met on Wednesday to discuss the three viruses we face and how best to protect ourselves and others.
The Importance of Vaccination
At the meeting, CDC Director Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, emphasized the significance of clear and simple messaging: the most effective way to protect yourself from this season’s worst viruses is to get vaccinated. Here are the key vaccination recommendations:
- Everyone over 6 months old should get their flu vaccine and updated COVID-19 vaccine.
- Pregnant women and adults over 60 years of age should be vaccinated against RSV.
Getting vaccinated for all three viruses in the month of October is crucial to preventing future infections.
Demetre Daskalakis, MD, MPH, acting director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), reassured that coadministration of the vaccines is completely acceptable. He also highlighted the overlap in conditions that increase the risk of influenza, COVID-19, and severe RSV disease.
Considerations for Previous COVID-19 Vaccination
According to the CDC’s updated recommendation list, Daskalakis shared the following guidelines:
- If you have already received a dose of the previous COVID-19 vaccine, wait about 2 months before receiving the updated vaccine.
- If you have recently had COVID-19, you may consider waiting 3 months to receive the new COVID-19 vaccine.
Immunocompromised individuals may receive additional doses based on their healthcare provider’s recommendation.
Protecting Babies and Targeting Newborns and Infants
When it comes to RSV in babies, Daskalakis highlighted two essential strategies:
- All babies qualify for nirsevimab, the monoclonal antibody treatment to protect against RSV.
- Vaccinating pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy offers additional protection to newborns and infants.
Fighting Viral Infections: Importance of Speed and Access to Vaccines
With the simultaneous threat of COVID-19, flu, and RSV, experts stress the importance of swift action and effective treatment. Here are the key strategies:
- Get tested as soon as possible if you suspect infection.
- Obtain antivirals like Paxlovid for COVID-19 or those that target influenza.
- Wear a mask if you have been exposed to a virus to protect others from infection.
Challenges in COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
Since the release of the updated COVID-19 vaccine, there have been reports of challenges in securing appointments and last-minute cancellations. Demetre Daskalakis, as well as Nirav Shah, MD, JD, principal deputy director of the CDC, addressed these concerns:
Public health vaccine distribution differs significantly from commercial vaccine distribution. Despite the initial reports, the CDC consistently observes an increase in vaccine supply for all providers, including pharmacies and doctors’ offices. Therefore, they urge individuals not to give up on getting vaccinated and to check with their providers regularly.
Summary
As we enter fall and winter, the triple threat of COVID-19, flu, and RSV looms over us. The CDC recommends vaccination as the most effective way to protect against these viruses. Here are the key takeaways:
- Everyone over 6 months old should get their flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Pregnant women and adults over 60 should also be vaccinated against RSV. Coadministration of the vaccines is acceptable, and there is significant overlap in conditions that increase the risk of severe disease for these three viruses. The CDC advises waiting the specified duration between previous and updated COVID-19 vaccinations, and immunocompromised individuals may receive additional doses as recommended by their healthcare provider.
To protect babies, nirsevimab is available as a monoclonal antibody treatment for RSV, and vaccinating pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy provides added protection.
In the face of these viral infections, speed is key. Testing, antivirals, and mask-wearing are essential strategies to prevent further infections. Although challenges in COVID-19 vaccine distribution have been reported, the CDC ensures a steady increase in vaccine supply for all providers.
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October 5, 2023: As we move into fall and winter, the threat of a “tripledemic” (when cases of COVID-19, flu and RSV increase at the same time) looms overhead.
Top CDC experts met Wednesday and addressed the issue three viruses we face and how best to protect ourselves and others.
At the meeting, CDC Director Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, said sending clear, simple messages is of utmost importance right now: The most effective way to protect yourself from this season’s worst viruses is to get vaccinated. Everyone over 6 months old should get their flu vaccine and updated Vaccine for COVID-19; Pregnant women and adults over 60 years of age should be vaccinated against RSV. For all of these viruses, the month of October is the best time to get vaccinated and prevent future infections.
“Coadministration of this vaccine along with influenza and COVID vaccines is completely acceptable,” said Demetre Daskalakis, MD, MPH, acting director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). “And it’s important to remember that there is a lot of overlap between conditions that can increase the risk of influenza and COVID and those that can also increase the risk of severe RSV disease.”
Reviewing the CDC updated recommendation list For all three vaccines, Daskalakis said if you have already received a dose of the previous COVID vaccine, you should wait about 2 months before receiving the updated vaccine. If you have recently had COVID, the CDC guidelines sayYou may consider waiting 3 months to receive the new COVID vaccine.
In addition to the original vaccination series and one dose of the updated vaccine, Daskalakis said, those who are immunocompromised can receive more doses now depending on what their healthcare provider recommends.
When it comes to RSV in babies, Daskalakis noted that all babies qualify for nirsevimab, the monoclonal antibody treatment to protect against RSV. Another way to target newborns and infants is to vaccinate pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
With all of these viruses, experts agreed that speed is the key to treatment. Getting tested as soon as possible, obtaining antivirals like Paxlovid for COVID-19 or those that attack influenza, and wearing a mask if you have been exposed to a virus are vital strategies to protect others from infection.
Since the release of the updated COVID vaccine, there have been many reports of people struggling to get an appointment or having their appointments canceled at the last minute. Daskalakis and Nirav Shah, MD, JD, principal deputy director of the CDC, addressed these questions.
“Public health vaccine distribution is very different than commercial vaccine distribution,” said Daskalakis, who said it took a year of planning to prepare for the change. Despite the reports, he said every day the CDC sees an increase in vaccine supply for all providers, whether they are pharmacies or doctors’ offices.
“Please don’t give up on the vaccine; know that the vaccine is available,” Shah said. “And check back with your provider, with your pharmacist because chances are if they didn’t get the vaccine 2 weeks ago, they have it now.”
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