What Comes after the Summer COVID-19 Wave?

September 16, 2024

Following an uptick in COVID-19 cases, public health officials are monitoring the rollout of new vaccines that are designed to help prevent a severe respiratory virus season.  

A poll released last week from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center indicates hesitancy surrounding both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines ahead of the next vaccination campaign. About 37 percent of respondents had received vaccines in the past year but did not plan to this year, according to the poll.

“We’re at the start of respiratory virus season when you have the triple threat of flu, COVID-19 and RSV,” said Nora Colburn, MD, medical director of clinical epidemiology at Ohio State’s Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital. “Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about vaccinations, but the reality is that they are safe and highly effective in preventing serious illness and death.”

Here’s what you need to know:

• State of the spread:  Nationally, wastewater viral activity for COVID-19 remains high.
  • Test positivity for COVID-19 (14.9%) declined slightly from the prior week.
  • CDC models indicate a high likelihood (80%) that this year’s respiratory virus season will have a similar or lower hospitalization burden compared to last season.
• Variants:  The KP variants continue to account for nearly 70 percent of COVID-19 cases, but world health leaders are monitoring another variant—XEC—that also has “hyper-contagious” characteristics that could pose a threat this winter.
• Vaccine hesitancy:  The Ohio State poll reported a slight majority (56%) of adults have gotten or plan to get the flu shot this fall; about 43 percent have gotten or plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine; and adults over 65 are most likely to get the recommended vaccines.
• Recommendations:  The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older receive an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine.
  • The agency also recommends everyone 6 months of age and older, with rare exceptions, receive an updated flu vaccine.
• Quotable:  “Vaccinations play a critical role in helping keep individuals and communities healthy,” Colburn said. “Other things you can do is to stay home when sick, avoid those who are sick and wear a mask if you’re not feeling well and going out of your home. All of these things can help prevent you from getting sick and spreading it to others.”

HAP continues to monitor the latest COVID-19 public health developments and provide updates to members. Additional information about the Ohio State vaccine poll is available online.