Public well being specialists are urging individuals to benefit from the truth that this yr, for the primary time, vaccines can be found for 3 main respiratory viruses: flu, COVID and RSV.
SARAH MCCAMMON, HOST:
As winter approaches, public well being authorities are apprehensive that too few Americans are planning to get vaccinated in opposition to three main respiratory viruses. That’s in accordance with a brand new report launched yesterday. NPR well being correspondent Rob Stein has extra.
ROB STEIN, BYLINE: For years, everybody may get a flu shot each fall. And the COVID vaccines have helped defend hundreds of thousands throughout the pandemic. Now, for the primary time, anybody age 60 and older may get vaccinated in opposition to RSV, which can be life threatening. So CDC Director Mandy Cohen is urging everybody who’s eligible to benefit from this trio of vaccines.
MANDY COHEN: For the primary time in historical past, we’ve got vaccines in opposition to all three of those main viruses that may defend us from critical sickness, hospitalization and demise.
STEIN: But a brand new survey finds that lots of people aren’t planning to get the photographs. The survey of 1,000 adults discovered solely about half of these ages 18 to 64 need a flu shot. Only 40% of adults are planning to get an up to date COVID vaccine. And solely 40% of eligible adults say they’re going to get the RSV jab. Patsy Stinchfield heads the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, which carried out the survey.
PATSY STINCHFIELD: Many U.S. adults are underestimating the seriousness of flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
STEIN: Which are particularly harmful for older individuals and people with different well being issues. Meanwhile, the survey discovered many individuals overestimate the dangers related to the vaccines, though they’re very secure and efficient. The CDC says the present COVID wave that began in July could also be cresting, however one other wave is predicted this winter. RSV is already on the rise once more, and flu season is coming. About 2 million individuals have already rolled up their sleeves for COVID photographs. And the company is working to attempt to assist resolve issues with insurance coverage and provide which have pissed off others who do need to get vaccinated. Rob Stein, NPR News.
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