About 36M American adults have received the updated COVID vaccine: CDC

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An estimated 36 million adults in the United States have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine as of Monday, according to new data from the federal government.

Additionally, about 3.5 million children have also gotten the updated shot, according to the survey, which is a sample size of the U.S. population, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This is roughly equal to the number of Americans who had received the bivalent booster — which was targeted against different COVID variants — by this time last year.

Read more at ABC.

Survey: One-third of US adults do not think their vaccine decisions affect others

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In a recent survey, most adults said they do all they can to prevent the spread of seasonal viruses; however, 33% also said that they do not think their decision about vaccination affects others.

Megan Conroy, MD, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and clinical assistant professor at the institution’s College of Medicine, told Healio that the findings highlight “an opportunity to improve vaccination education.”

Read more at Healio.

CDC reports highest childhood vaccine exemption rate ever in the U.S.

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The number of kids whose caregivers are opting them out of routine childhood vaccines has reached an all-time high, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands of children unprotected against preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough.

The report did not dive into the reasons for the increase, but experts said the findings clearly reflect Americans’ growing unease about medicine in general.

Read more at NBC.

Not vaccinated for COVID or flu yet? Now’s the time ahead of Thanksgiving, CDC director says.

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With Thanksgiving only two weeks away, now’s the time to get protected against potentially deadly fall viruses.

In an interview with CBS News, Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said this is the best window to get vaccinated to protect yourself and your family for the holiday.

“We know we’re going to see more flu starting to circulate, and more COVID, so right now is a great time for you to get vaccinated. That way, your body can build up its protection ahead of the holiday season,” she said.

Read more at CBS.

What not to take home from this year’s holiday gathering? COVID-19. Here’s the best way to steer clear of it this holiday season

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We all love the tasty Thanksgiving turkey and scrumptious stuffing. But safe to say no one wants to bring COVID-19 home with the leftovers. Ugh, right?

But all the key coronavirus indicators in Colorado are pointing toward a rise in cases, and hospitalizations are as high as they’ve been since the start of 2023, with millions of thousands of Coloradans gathering and traveling over the holidays. 

Health officials, infectious disease experts and doctors say common sense precautions like getting a coronavirus vaccine shot now is their best advice to steer clear of COVID-driven congestion, cough, aches and other unpleasantries. 

Read more at CPR.

The real reason the new RSV shot is hard for some parents to find

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Ayear ago, hospitals across the country noticed a disconcerting trend. Despite winter still being a few weeks away, many were experiencing a shortage of pediatric hospital beds due to an early surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). As a result, parents who needed to take their children to the emergency room faced longer-than-usual wait times. Some children were being sent to hospitals in other states. But the brutal season ended on a somewhat hopeful note: a variety of vaccines, including a monoclonal antibody treatment called Nirsevimab, were in development and would likely be available the following year.

Read more at Salon.

What’s the latest to know about COVID, flu vaccines as respiratory virus season begins?

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As the United States heads into the cold-weather months, respiratory virus season has also arrived, with cases of influenza and COVID-19 likely to increase.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends that everyone 6 months and older stay up-to-date and get a flu vaccine and a COVID vaccine, and that it’s safe to get both at the same time.

“For flu and COVID, not only does the vaccine reduce…the chance of getting sick, it certainly – even for those people who get sick – reduces their chance of getting severely sick,” Dr. Cameron Wolfe, a professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at Duke University School of Medicine, told ABC News.

Read more at ABC.

COVID-19 and flu cases expected to rise, Colorado health officials urge vaccinations now

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Yes, the COVID-19 pandemic was declared over by the federal government, but immunizations right alongside flu shots are now being presented as the best way to protect you and your family as we creep closer to winter. 

State epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said while the flu follows a known pattern, (and COVID seems to be following the same one) there is not enough data to say when the next COVID outbreak would hit.

“There is a more typical respiratory virus season when we think about influenza and RSV, we think typically the season being October through May with really the greatest likelihood of transmission probably occurring sometime November through February,” Herlihy said. “But we know that they’re all unpredictable, and when it comes to COVID-19, we’re still really learning more about the patterns of transmission and the seasonality of that virus.”

Read more at CBS Colorado.

COVID-19, Flu, and RSV – We’ve Got Vaccines for All Three! Part Three: Are RSV Vaccines and Treatments Right for Me?

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Before we know it, the holidays will be here. That means time spent celebrating with friends and family. It also means you need every tool in your arsenal to prevent contracting and spreading respiratory illnesses among those you love and celebrate with. Practicing preventive measures like eating well, hand-washing, and masking when you are sick are important, but don’t forget about vaccines. Before you start gift wrapping and holiday baking, make sure you and your family are up to date with COVID-19 and flu shots. There’s also a third option for some people to protect against RSV. 

Each year, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes more than 200,000 hospitalizations across the U.S. and over 10,000 deaths. RSV is very common. Infants, young children, and adults over 60 are most at risk for severe RSV illness. Today’s Team Vaccine Blog post – the last in our three-part series on the three big respiratory viral illnesses (COVID-19, flu, and RSV) – breaks down new vaccines and treatments for RSV and who should get them. 

Pregnant people now have the option to protect their unborn children from RSV with a vaccine.

Infants have immature immune systems and smaller airways that make it hard for them to fight respiratory illnesses like RSV. Thankfully, expecting parents can now breathe a sigh of relief, at least in regard to RSV. A new vaccine called Abrysvo was recently recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help provide immediate protection for newborns. This protection will last about six months. It is available to those who are 32-36 weeks pregnant and is administered seasonally from September to January. Abrysvo should be given at least 14 days prior to giving birth. If you are pregnant, talk to your medical provider to see if Abrysvo is right for you.

Children 19 months of age and younger can be immunized for RSV.

Nirsevimab (Beyfortus™) is a new treatment available for children. Nirsevimab is not a vaccine, but rather a monoclonal antibody treatment that provides temporary protection against RSV. It is given to infants younger than 8 months of age in one dose during the RSV season. It offers protection from RSV as soon as it is given. Protection will last for at least 5 months. Most children whose mother was vaccinated with Abrysvo while pregnant will not need to be treated with nirsevimab. Some children entering their second RSV season who are considered to be at increased risk for severe RSV illness will be eligible for a second dose of nirsevimab.

There has already been very high demand for nirsevimab which has unfortunately led to a shortage in its availability for the 2023-24 respiratory virus season. Because of this, the CDC issued an alert advising providers to prioritize the use of nirsevimab for children most at risk of contracting severe RSV. There is another option to protect young children from RSV: Palivizumab (Synagis®). Palivizumab is another monoclonal antibody treatment that has been in use since 1998. It is approved for children under 24 months who are at increased risk for RSV. Whereas nirsevimab is a one-time treatment, palivizumab is given once per month during the RSV season. Talk to your child’s medical provider about what treatments may be appropriate for them.

There are two new vaccines to protect adults 60 and older from RSV.

New this year, adults 60 and older can now be vaccinated for RSV. There are two vaccine options: Arexvy and Abrysvo. Both vaccines are more than 80% effective at preventing RSV infections. Even if you are otherwise healthy, you may be at increased risk for severe RSV simply based on your age. The immune system begins to decline around age 60 and is slower to respond to illness. But RSV vaccines are not right for everyone over 60. The CDC recommends RSV vaccines for this age group based on discussion with a medical provider. Talk to your doctor to see if an RSV vaccine is right for you.

The bottom line? We have more tools than ever to protect against RSV!

For most people, RSV infection will likely go unnoticed as a simple cold. For those most at risk, these new treatments and vaccines may help prevent them from being hospitalized and could even save their lives. These tools provide the opportunity for families to spend more time together and for young children to thrive and grow. Pregnant? Talk to your provider about getting Abrysvo between 32 and 36 weeks gestation. Have an infant child who isn’t protected from maternal RSV vaccination? Talk to their pediatrician to see if monoclonal antibody treatments are right for them. Over age 60? Speak to your provider about whether RSV vaccines are appropriate for you. In a season of respiratory threats from COVID-19, flu, and RSV – we’re lucky to have vaccines and treatments for all three!

Immunize Colorado was formed in 1991 in response to alarmingly low vaccination rates across the state. At the time, only about 50% of Colorado’s children were adequately vaccinated. A group of physicians and other concerned individuals came together to strategize how to protect Coloradans from vaccine-preventable diseases and increase vaccine uptake. Much work remains. You can donate or discover other ways to get involved in supporting our commitment to healthy Colorado communities today!

COVID-19 vaccination campaign saved 2.4 million lives, according to health economists

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The global COVID-19 vaccination campaign saved 2.4 million lives in 141 countries and could have saved about 670,000 more had the vaccines been distributed equitably.

That’s according to a new working paper from researchers at the University of Southern California’s Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics and the Brown University School of Public Health.

The National Bureau of Economic Research circulated the working paper, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, for discussion and comment this week.

The benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines are far-reaching by multiple measures, said co-author Christopher M. Whaley, an associate professor of health services, policy and practice at Brown.

Read more at Brown University.

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