South Middlesex Times

Between October 1, 2023, and June 15 of this year, approximately 35 million to 65 million people contracted the flu, resulting in hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and between 25,000 to 72,000 deaths, including 197 children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC also estimates that in 2023 more than 916,300 people were hospitalized for COVID-19 and about 75,500 people died.

Mid-September to late October is considered the optimal window for receiving updated flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to protect against severe illness this fall and winter, stated David Cennimo, an infectious disease expert at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Cennimo provided insights on the series of recommended vaccines as well as expectations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this season.

Regarding last year’s flu season and predictions for this year, Cennimo mentioned that the influenza season is again expected to peak sometime between late fall and early spring. "Most experts believe we will see similar levels of influenza infection as last year in the United States," he said.

The CDC recommends that individuals aged six months and older receive vaccinations for both flu and COVID-19. "It is safe to receive both vaccines at the same visit," added Cennimo. Multiple studies have shown significantly reduced symptoms and milder infections in vaccinated individuals who contract these viruses.

This year's U.S. flu vaccine is trivalent, containing three different strains predicted to be most prevalent. The Yamagata lineage of Influenza B has been removed due to its absence since COVID-19. "At the individual patient level, they are interchangeable," said Cennimo regarding egg-based versus cell culture-based vaccines. He advises those aged 65 or older to get a “high dose” or adjuvanted flu shot if available but emphasized that a standard influenza vaccine should be administered if not available.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved an updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine targeting the current SARS CoV-2 strain circulating in the U.S., mirroring annual adjustments made with influenza vaccines.

For those recently infected with COVID-19, the CDC recommends waiting at least eight weeks between doses or considering delaying vaccination by three months due to lower reinfection risk within that period.

RSV remains a concern particularly for infants under eight months during RSV season unless their mothers were adequately vaccinated during pregnancy. Adults aged 60 to 74 with increased risk of severe RSV infection and everyone aged 75 or older should consider vaccination with one of three available RSV vaccines. Pregnant individuals are advised to consider being vaccinated with Abrysvo between weeks 32 and 36 gestation.

Mid-September to late October is deemed ideal for receiving these vaccinations due to their effectiveness lasting about six months; getting vaccinated too early might result in waning immunity. Children receiving their first influenza vaccine need a second dose at least four weeks later.

Addressing safety concerns, Cennimo noted that serious side effects from these vaccines are extremely rare compared to many common medications. He confirmed that it is safe even for those allergic to eggs since serious reactions are unlikely from egg protein in flu vaccines.

Clarifying misconceptions about contracting illnesses from these vaccines, Cennimo stated that they take two weeks to become effective; thus infections could occur within this period post-vaccination but not because of it as neither live virus nor infectious agents are present in these vaccines.

In distinguishing between symptoms of flu, COVID-19 or RSV: "If you start feeling ill...quarantine and test for COVID." RSV symptoms resemble those of a common cold but can be more severe in infants and elderly individuals.