COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendation for Older Adults, International Long COVID Awareness Day, and More

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March 14, 2024 This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC.

Older Adults Now Able to Receive Additional Dose of Updated COVID-19 Vaccine CDC recommends that adults ages 65 years and older receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose. Adults 65 years and older are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, with more than half of COVID-19 hospitalizations during October 2023 to December 2023 occurring in this age group. The recommendation acknowledges the increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults, along with the currently available data on vaccine effectiveness. Data continues to show the importance of vaccination to protect those most at risk for severe outcomes of COVID-19. An additional dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine may restore protection that has waned since a fall vaccine dose, providing increased protection to adults ages 65 years and older. Learn More

International Long COVID Awareness Day March 15 is International Long COVID Awareness Day. This year's theme is "Confront Long COVID." It is important to recognize and raise awareness of Long COVID as a real and serious infection-associated chronic condition that has affected millions of people across the United States. CDC and other federal partners and stakeholders are actively working to address gaps in the understanding of Long COVID and the needs of people with Long COVID. Please join us in supporting people with this condition. Together, we can confront Long COVID.  Learn More

CDC study shows effectiveness of RSV immunization for infants  Early CDC surveillance data show that nirsevimab is 90% effective at preventing hospitalizations associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in babies. These findings support CDC’s current recommendations for administration of nirsevimab for babies younger than 8 months to protect against RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection during their first RSV season and for children aged 8–19 months at increased risk for severe RSV disease. To reduce the risk of RSV-associated hospitalization, all infants should be protected by maternal RSV vaccination or infant receipt of nirsevimab. New or expecting parents should talk to their providers about RSV and make a plan for the 2024-2025 season.  Learn More

2023–2024 Seasonal Flu Vaccine Effectiveness A new CDC report provides interim vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates for 2023-2024 flu vaccines in the United States. One VE Network showed: Vaccinated children (6 months-17 years) were 60% less likely to have a flu-related medical visit and 52% less likely to have a flu-related hospitalization. Vaccinated adults (18-64 years) were 52% less likely to have a flu-related medical visit and 40% less likely to have a flu-related hospitalization. Vaccinated adults 65 years and older were 41% less likely to have a flu-related medical visit and 42% less likely to have a flu-related hospitalization. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older who has not yet received a flu vaccine this season get vaccinated now. Learn More

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This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC.

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March 5, 2024 This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC.

CDC Updates and Simplifies Respiratory Virus Recommendations Last week, CDC released updated recommendations for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The new guidance brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, which can cause significant health impacts and strain on hospitals and health care workers. CDC is making updates to the recommendations now because the United States is seeing far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID-19, and RSV. As part of the guidance, CDC provides active recommendations on core prevention steps and strategies and additional considerations for people who are at higher risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses, including older adults, young children, people with compromised immune systems, people with disabilities, and pregnant people.

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Vaccine Effectiveness of Updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 Vaccines A new CDC report finds that the updated (2023-2024) COVID-19 vaccines cut the risk in half for visiting the emergency department, urgent care, or being hospitalized with COVID-19 for most people. Everyone 6 months and older should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine, especially people 65 years or older and people with medical conditions that make them more likely to get very sick with COVID-19, such as weakened immune systems. Learn more about how to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines: Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines  Learn More

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Vaccine Effectiveness and COVID-19, V-Safe, and More

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February 16, 2024 This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC.

Vaccine Effectiveness and COVID-19 New data from CDC show that the updated (2023-2024) COVID-19 vaccines were effective against COVID-19 during September 2023 – January 2024, including against variants from the XBB lineage, which is included in the updated vaccine, and JN.1, a new variant that has become dominant in recent weeks. To estimate vaccine effectiveness of the updated COVID-19 vaccine, CDC analyzed data from the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) COVID-19 pharmacy testing program. The protection provided by the updated vaccine was compared to not receiving an updated vaccine, regardless of a person’s infection history or the number of previous COVID-19 vaccines received.

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People Who Get a 2023-2024 Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Can Now Register in V-Safe Vaccine safety monitoring is a top priority at CDC. V-safe is one of several systems CDC uses to closely monitor the safety of vaccines in the United States. V-safe registration is now open to anyone who gets a 2023-2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine or an RSV vaccine. Participants who enroll in V-safe within 6 weeks of vaccination will receive confidential health check-ins via text message or email to share how they feel after vaccination. You can sign up for V-safe using your smartphone, tablet, or computer at vsafe.cdc.gov. Learn More

RSV Transmission and Prevention You can take everyday prevention measures to help reduce the spread of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other respiratory illnesses. RSV immunizations are recommended for certain groups. People infected with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of illness. RSV can survive for many hours on hard surfaces such as tables and crib rails. It typically lives on soft surfaces such as tissues and hands for shorter amounts of time.  Learn More

	COVID-19 Testing: Is It Really Expired? If you have an expired COVID-19 test kit, don’t throw it away. Your test kit may have a U.S. FDA–approved extended expiration date. Use FDA’s table to find out if your home test kit can still be used past the original expiration date. Home COVID-19 test kits are designed to detect all variants of COVID-19. Learn More

Patient Support Program: Cost Savings Options Available with PAXCESS™ COVID-19 antiviral treatment can reduce the risks of hospitalization and death if you’re at increased risk of getting very sick, regardless of your vaccination status. If you get COVID-19, you should consider treatment if it is recommended for you. For patients prescribed Paxlovid, the PAXCESS Patient Support Program provides insurance verification, live PAXCESS support representatives who can help with program eligibility, and help with identifying financial assistance. Enrollment takes about 5 minutes. You can enroll online by visiting the PAXCESS website, or by phone by calling 1-877-C19-PACK (1-877-219-7225). Learn More

CDC Tracks New SARS-CoV-2 Variant, BA.2.87.1 BA.2.87.1, a new variant of the virus that causes COVID-19, was detected in South Africa by the country’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases. CDC is closely tracking this variant because of the large number of mutations when compared to previous variants. At this time, BA.2.87.1 has not been identified in clinical specimens outside South Africa. Because this is a newly emerging variant, there is not as much additional data about its potential impact. So far, the public health risk for this new variant appears low. CDC continues to track the appearance and spread of new variants around the world through national genomic surveillance. CDC is monitoring this new variant closely and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Learn More

Notes from the Field: Long COVID Prevalence Among Adults Long COVID continues to impact millions of people, increasing health care needs in every U.S. state and territory. A new report shows that the percentage of U.S. adults in 2022 who reported ever experiencing Long COVID varied by U.S. state and territory, from 2% in the U.S. Virgin Islands to 11% in West Virginia. The percentage tended to be lower in New England and the Pacific, and higher in the South, Midwest, and West. Check the report to find data for your state. Clinicians and public health professionals should consider these data to inform health care and public health policy, strategy, and action to reduce the impact of Long COVID.  Learn More

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