ERIE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT NEWS

Health Alert – Immunizations

Urgent Need to Increase Immunization Coverage for Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV
during the 2023-2024 Winter Season.


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is alerting healthcare providers to currently low vaccination rates against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Low vaccination rates, coupled with ongoing increases in respiratory disease activity caused by multiple pathogens, could lead to more severe disease and increased healthcare capacity strain in the coming weeks.

In the past 4 weeks, hospitalizations among all age groups increased by 200% for influenza, 51% for COVID-19, and 60% for RSV. As of December 1, 2023, the weekly percentages of pediatric emergency department visits for pneumonia due to multiple etiologies were increasing since September. To date, 12 pediatric influenza deaths have been reported during the 2023-2024 season.

Infants and older adults remain at highest risk of severe disease. Vaccination for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV reduces the risk of severe disease, including pneumonia, hospitalizations, and death.

Click here to read the entire press release.

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