Public well being consultants are urging individuals to benefit from the truth that this 12 months, 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 People are planning to get vaccinated in opposition to three main respiratory viruses. That is in keeping 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 shield tens of millions throughout the pandemic. Now, for the primary time, anybody age 60 and older may get vaccinated in opposition to RSV, which may also 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 vaccines in opposition to all three of those main viruses that may shield us from critical sickness, hospitalization and loss of life.
STEIN: However 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 desire a flu shot. Solely 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 Nationwide Basis for Infectious Ailments, which carried out the survey.
PATSY STINCHFIELD: Many U.S. adults are underestimating the seriousness of flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
STEIN: That are particularly harmful for older individuals and people with different well being issues. In the meantime, the survey discovered many individuals overestimate the dangers related to the vaccines, regardless that they’re very protected and efficient. The CDC says the present COVID wave that began in July could also be cresting, however one other wave is anticipated 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 annoyed others who do wish to get vaccinated. Rob Stein, NPR Information.
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