Thus far only a few People have been rolling up their sleeves to get vaccinated towards COVID, flu or RSV.
ROB SCHMITZ, HOST:
As the vacation and the winter respiratory virus season method, most individuals nonetheless haven’t gotten vaccinated towards the flu or COVID-19. NPR well being correspondent Rob Stein joins us now to speak about why and what this implies. Hey, Rob.
ROB STEIN, BYLINE: Hey, Rob.
SCHMITZ: So let’s begin with the numbers. How many individuals have gotten vaccinated to date this yr?
STEIN: It isn’t wanting good. In accordance with the newest information from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, solely a couple of third of adults have gotten this yr’s flu shot. And even fewer – lower than 18% – have gotten one of many up to date COVID boosters. Lower than half of adults ages 75 and older have gotten the brand new RSV vaccine. Even fewer youthful adults, who’re additionally susceptible to getting actually sick from RSV, have gotten that shot. These flu and COVID numbers are a bit of higher than this time final yr, however far decrease than wanted to guard most individuals in danger. And, you realize, Rob, most worrying – most nursing residence residents have not gotten a COVID booster and solely 58% have gotten a flu shot. And so they’re the oldsters at highest threat of getting actually sick or dying from the flu and COVID. I talked about what’s taking place with Dr. Georgina Peacock from the CDC.
GEORGINA PEACOCK: Nearly all of folks haven’t had a vaccine this yr to guard them towards flu, COVID and, for these which can be eligible, for RSV. And so there’s a whole lot of work to be executed. We would love for these charges to be larger.
STEIN: And, you realize, Rob, lots of of persons are nonetheless dying from COVID each week within the U.S, for instance, even earlier than the subsequent surge anticipated this winter.
SCHMITZ: So Rob, these numbers are actually shocking. And I am questioning – why are so few folks getting these pictures?
STEIN: You realize, Rob, it is a mixture of things. A part of it’s the lingering skepticism and outright hostility from the pandemic towards the COVID vaccine particularly and vaccines on the whole. One other issue is that individuals are inclined to underestimate how harmful each viruses will be whereas overestimating vaccination dangers. There’s a whole lot of misinformation about how effectively the vaccines work and the way protected they’re. And eventually, a whole lot of people are simply sick of vaccines due to all of the pictures they’ve gotten over the previous few years. You realize, put all of it collectively and lots of people are simply feeling sort of executed with vaccines. I talked about this with Dr. Gregory Poland. He is president of the Atria Academy of Science and Medication in New York.
GREGORY POLAND: As a society proper now, we’re in a section of rejecting experience, of distrust of any professional, whether or not it is science, meteorology, drugs, authorities – no matter it’s.
STEIN: And, you realize, Rob, the vaccines aren’t good. Vaccinated folks can nonetheless get the flu or COVID. However the pictures are an honest match for the strains circulating proper now, are very protected, and fairly efficient at stopping extreme illness and reducing the chance for lengthy COVID.
SCHMITZ: Proper, however it seems like there’s going to be an issue right here. What’s taking place with flu, COVID and RSV proper now, and what could be coming this winter?
STEIN: For the time being, the flu and RSV numbers are very low, and COVID’s nonetheless receding within the U.S. from the late summer time surge. However RSV has already began to choose up within the Southeast. And all three viruses are anticipated to take off once more as folks journey and collect for Thanksgiving and the winter holidays and begin spending extra time indoors.
SCHMITZ: Rob Stein, NPR’s well being correspondent, thanks.
STEIN: You wager, Rob.
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