The US is experiencing a significant rise in flu cases in December following its most severe season since 2018, with over 3,100 deaths reported and a new variant emerging. Despite the severity, vaccination rates are lower than last year, raising concerns about increased hospital strain and public health response. Experts emphasize the importance of vaccination and early testing to mitigate the impact of the flu season.
New research from Washington University School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System reveals that people hospitalized with seasonal influenza can experience long-term health effects, particularly involving their lungs and airways. The study compared the long-term health outcomes of COVID-19 and the flu and found that both viruses can cause enduring health problems, with the risks increasing after the first 30 days of infection. The research highlights the need to reduce hospitalizations for both viruses and emphasizes the importance of vaccination to prevent severe disease and reduce the risk of hospitalization and death.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended removing a component from seasonal flu vaccines that protects against the B/Yamagata lineage of influenza viruses, as this strain has not been detected since March 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the spread and cycles of other infectious diseases, including the flu, resulting in a virtually nonexistent 2020-2021 flu season and a collapse in the genetic diversity of circulating flu strains. WHO advisors have now recommended excluding the B/Yamagata component from future flu vaccines, as the virus appears to be extinct and its inclusion could pose a theoretical risk of reintroduction.
