CDC sounds alarm about low vaccination rates amid rising respiratory virus activity

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is an “urgent need” boost vaccination coverage amid increasing levels of respiratory disease.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is an “urgent need” to boost vaccination coverage amid increasing levels of respiratory disease. “Low vaccination rates, coupled with ongoing increases in national and international respiratory disease activity caused by multiple pathogens, including influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), and RSV, could lead to more severe disease and increased healthcare capacity strain in the coming weeks,” the agency wrote in a Health Alert Network advisory Thursday. “In addition, a recent increase in cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) following SARS-CoV-2 infection in the United States has been reported.” About 7 million fewer adults have gotten their flu shot so far this season compared with the last virus season. Overall, uptake is about 36% for both adults and children, according to CDC data through November 18. Vaccination coverage for Covid-19 is also low, with just 17% of adults and about 8% of children getting the latest shot, according to CDC data through December 2. That includes about 36% of seniors, who are at higher risk for severe disease. Also, only about 16% of older adults ages 60 and up have gotten the new RSV vaccine. Key reasons for low vaccination rates include a lack of provider recommendation, concerns about side effects, and a lack of time or forgetting to get vaccinated, according to findings from a nationally representative survey of US adults that were shared in the CDC advisory.