In the latest update on respiratory virus activity in the United States, Dr. John Brownstein, an esteemed epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital, sheds light on the current season which is displaying a return to pre-pandemic trends. With insights shared as an ABC News contributor, Dr. Brownstein highlights that this respiratory virus season marks a significant shift from recent years, where secondary peaks or spikes in activity have often been observed in the weeks following initial surges.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the ongoing seasonal flu activity is reported as “elevated” nationwide, while COVID-19 activity has notably “increased.” In contrast, RSV activity has shown signs of having “peaked” across various regions of the country. The CDC estimates reveal staggering numbers, with over 12 million cases of flu illnesses, 160,000 hospitalizations, and tragically, 6,600 deaths recorded so far this season. Distressingly, there have been 27 reported pediatric flu-related deaths, with 11 of them occurring just last week.
As of the latest update on Jan. 11, emergency room visits and hospitalizations remain highest for flu cases, followed closely by COVID-19 and RSV, both of which are currently at similar levels. The data underscores a concerning trend in pediatric cases, particularly driven by RSV infections in children under the age of 4, as well as a mix of RSV and flu cases in those under 18.
The demographic breakdown of hospitalization rates paints a stark picture, with the highest rates observed among individuals over the age of 65, primarily due to flu and COVID-19-related complications. Notably, hospitalization rates for young children under the age of 4 are predominantly fueled by RSV infections. In terms of fatality rates, COVID-19 leads with a 1.4% mortality rate, followed closely by flu at 1.2%, and RSV at 0.1%.
Amidst the ongoing respiratory virus challenges, the importance of vaccination campaigns cannot be overstated. Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines are readily available for individuals of all ages, with specific RSV vaccines accessible for select adult populations. However, vaccination coverage rates continue to remain suboptimal, leaving many vulnerable to respiratory virus infections.
As of the latest data released by the CDC, only 43.4% of adults have received the flu vaccine, with 22.8% having been inoculated with the updated 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, the RSV vaccine uptake among adults aged 75 and above stands at 44.5%. The statistics for children reveal a slightly higher vaccination rate against the flu at 42.9%, but a significantly lower uptake for the updated COVID-19 vaccine at just 11%.
Dr. Brownstein emphasizes the critical importance of timely vaccination, urging all unvaccinated individuals to take advantage of the available
