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April 23, 2024 This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC.

FDA Authorizes Pemgarda to Help Prevent COVID-19 for Immunocompromised People FDA has authorized a monoclonal antibody to help prevent COVID-19 for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, ages 12 and older, and weighing at least 88 pounds. In addition to vaccination, Pemgarda may provide another layer of protection against COVID-19 and can be given at least 2 weeks after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine A healthcare provider gives Pemgarda as a single intravenous infusion over 60 minutes at a doctor’s office or healthcare facility. If continued protection is needed, additional doses may be given every 3 months. People who are privately insured or have Medicare part B may receive Pemgarda for free. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if Pemgarda is right for you.

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Acute Cardiac Events in Older Adults Hospitalized for RSV A new CDC study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine (JAMA IM) shows that acute cardiac events occur frequently in adults 50 years and older who are hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Key findings include: Nearly one-quarter experienced an acute cardiac event—most commonly acute heart failure.  Experiencing an acute cardiac event nearly doubled the risk of severe outcomes like ICU admission and death. One in 12 adults with no documented underlying cardiovascular disease experienced an acute cardiac event during their hospitalization for RSV. Among older adults, RSV can cause up to 160,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths each year. If you are age 60 or older, talk to your healthcare provider about whether the RSV vaccine is right for you. RSV vaccines help protect older adults from severe RSV illness, particularly those with certain chronic medical conditions, those who are elderly or frail, and those living in nursing homes.  Learn More

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

This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC.

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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

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd   Atlanta, GA 30329   1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)   TTY: 888-232-6348 Questions or Problems  |  Unsubscribe