CDC Warns of Coming Increase in COVID and Flu Cases, Promotes Vaccines

An electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (round gold objects), which causes COVID-19, emerging from cultured cells. NIAID via The Epoch Times

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday warned about an expected increase in COVID-19, influenza, and RSV in the coming months, although levels for those respiratory viruses are currently low.

But the agency said there are signs of increased activity for RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, in southern and eastern states, namely in younger children. Seasonal flu levels are also slightly trending upward, the CDC added.

For COVID-19, the federal agency’s data show that levels of the virus are currently “low” across the United States. There is currently only one state—New Mexico—that has “very high” reported levels of COVID-19, while Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming are reporting “high” levels, according to the CDC’s COVID-19 wastewater map.

The CDC said it expects hospitalizations from COVID-19, the flu, and RSV to begin increasing in the coming weeks and months, urging people to get vaccines for the illnesses.

As of Oct. 5, 11.2 percent of adults aged 18 years or above received an updated COVID-19 vaccine, and 36.9 percent of adults 75 years or older received an RSV shot, according to CDC data.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved updated mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer, its German partner BioNTech, and Moderna. The FDA also granted emergency use authorization for Novavax’s protein-based vaccine, although it did not cite any of Novavax’s clinical trial data when making its approval.

There are three FDA-approved RSV vaccines, made by GSK, Moderna, and Pfizer.

In mid-October, outgoing CDC Director Mandy Cohen backed the CDC’s advisory panel’s recommendation that people aged 65 and older and those with compromised immune systems get a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine six months after the first dose.

“These updated recommendations also allow for flexibility for additional doses … for those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, in consultation with their healthcare provider,” her agency said on Oct. 23.

“The recommendation acknowledges the increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults and those who are immunocompromised, along with the currently available data on vaccine effectiveness and year-round circulation of COVID-19,” the CDC said, adding that the decision will provide clarity to health care providers on vaccine dosages.

The number of COVID-19 deaths reported per week is also near an all-time low since the pandemic started in March 2020, according to the CDC’s historical data on the virus. For the week ending Nov. 9, around 250 deaths were reported by the agency, down from about 1,300 deaths for the week ending Aug. 31 of this year.

Since early 2022, levels of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations have plummeted from their all-time highs seen in 2020 and 2021.

The federal government ended its COVID-19 public health emergency in 2023 but extended the FDA’s ability to issue emergency authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines until the end of 2024.

In August, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the FDA and CDC, launched a campaign to encourage people to take RSV, COVID-19, and flu vaccines for the fall and winter months.

“The campaign will reach all audiences, with a particular focus on those at highest risk, including older Americans and people who may have less access to health care information and support,” said HHS in a statement at the time.

Last week, President-elect Donald Trump named Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been outspoken about vaccine safety, to lead HHS, although he will need confirmation in the Senate.

Reuters contributed to this report.