Even if the COVID-19 pandemic peaks in the United States, the number of people who get sick with the flu is reaching a low point. Experts say that’s partly due to higher vaccination coverage during the pandemic.
By 2020, a record number of doses of influenza vaccines will be produced and distributed in an effort to “twindemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 190.4 million flu vaccines have been distributed across the US this season – the highest number of flu doses distributed in the US during a single flu season.
Flu vaccination among adults increased by 46% – from 31.1 million in 2019 to 45.3 million on November 28.
High vaccination coverage, coupled with face masks, social aloofness, school closures, stay-at-home orders and a lack of international travel have led to a record number of influenza cases.
Seasonal influenza activity in the US remains below normal at this time of the year, the CDC said, with 0.3% of specimens testing positive in clinical laboratories last week.
Data from Walgreens, one of the largest flu vaccine providers, confirmed that overall flu activity in the month of November was low nationwide compared to normal flu seasons.
“The unprecedented demand we’ve seen for flu shots this season, along with safety measures everyone is taking to limit the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing, wearing face masks, and washing their hands often, can contribute to lower flu activity. season, ”said Dr. Kevin Ban, Walgreens Chief Medical Officer.
Hospitals in the US are approaches or reaches its capacity, but the lower flu infection rate helps to avoid further devastating pressures on healthcare. Resources typically used to deal with an influx of flu cases in December can now be used to treat COVID patients.
“Flu vaccination is especially important this season because vaccination can help preserve medical resources and reduce the overall burden of respiratory disease on our health care system,” the CDC said.
A similar phenomenon has occurred in the Southern Hemisphere – now that winter is over – which barely had a flu season this year.
Experts still advise it isn’t too late to get a flu shot this year – and it could be more important than ever, with cases of both the flu and COVID-19 expected to increase after the holidays.