State health officials are warning people that time is running out to get vaccinated before gathering with family over the holiday as Covid-19 cases surge nationwide alongside unseasonably severe waves of flu and respiratory syncytial virus
A little more than 13 percent of Americans over the age of 5 have gotten their updated booster vaccine since it was released in September — including about a third of seniors. | Scott Olson/Getty ImagesState health officials are warning people that time is running out to get vaccinated before gathering with family over the holidays as Covid-19 cases surge nationwide alongside unseasonably severe waves of flu and respiratory syncytial virus.
“The situation in the hospitals is grim,” said David Scrase, secretary of the New Mexico Health and Human Services Department. “The death toll from this very serious virus continues to go up and really, hopefully, will create a sense of urgency in individuals and families to think about getting access to vaccines and also to treatments, should you test positive for coronavirus.”
In Louisiana, state health officials are recommending people consider getting tested before attending holiday gatherings. Health officials believe RSV may have already hit its peak, but flu and Covid continue to pose major challenges to the health care system. Flu hit early, hard and fast in the Southern Hemisphere this year — a trend some experts believe the Northern Hemisphere is likely to follow — but how hard Covid hits this year remains uncertain.
While health officials are hoping that the level of immunity in the population from infections and vaccination means this winter’s surge won’t be as severe, they remain concerned about the virus’ impact on elderly and immunocompromised people — particularly given the poor uptake of the bivalent booster shot this fall.
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