sevendayweekender – Respiratory illness season is underway, but concerns are growing over low vaccination rates, which could exacerbate risks. Early trends indicate a slow start, yet certain illnesses are already surging, putting children at higher risk, according to health experts.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts this respiratory season may resemble or slightly improve upon last year. However, hospitalization rates for respiratory viruses are expected to remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Current data suggests a complex landscape. Covid-19 cases in the US are nearing their lowest levels since the pandemic began and continue to decline, according to the CDC’s December 2 report. Similarly, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) levels are low, as indicated by wastewater monitoring. However, emergency department visits for flu and RSV are beginning to climb, signaling an early warning of potential spikes.
Dr. Andy Pekosz, a virologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, highlights the importance of post-Thanksgiving trends in shaping the season’s trajectory. “We typically see an uptick in cases about a week after Thanksgiving,” he said. “The pace of increase between Thanksgiving and Christmas provides valuable insight into the severity of the season.”
With holiday gatherings and travel looming, experts warn the situation could change rapidly. Vaccination remains a crucial defense against severe illness, yet uptake remains suboptimal.
The CDC emphasizes the importance of early vaccination and preventive measures such as mask-wearing and hand hygiene to mitigate risks. With respiratory viruses like RSV and flu on the rise. Proactive steps can help protect vulnerable populations, including children and older adults.
Why Vaccination is Crucial This Respiratory Illness Season
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that vaccination remains a critical defense in reducing hospitalizations during the respiratory disease season, particularly for flu, Covid-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). However, vaccination rates for these illnesses remain alarmingly low. Raising concerns about the potential burden on healthcare systems.
According to CDC data, Covid-19 vaccination rates are stagnant, mirroring the low levels seen last year. Currently, fewer than 20% of adults and only about 8% of children have received the updated Covid-19 vaccine for this season. A Pew Research Center survey reveals that about 60% of adults have no plans to get the updated shot. Citing reasons such as perceived lack of necessity, concerns over side effects, or a general aversion to vaccines.
Flu vaccination rates are similarly worrisome. By mid-November, only 37% of adults and 33% of children had received the flu vaccine. Among children, the flu vaccination rate is the lowest it has been in six years, standing nearly 12 percentage points below pre-pandemic levels and 5 percentage points lower than last season.
Experts like Elizabeth Choma, a pediatric nurse practitioner and assistant professor at George Washington University, emphasize the importance of vaccines in mitigating illness severity. “While vaccines may not completely prevent illness, they significantly reduce the likelihood of severe outcomes,” she explains. Data backs this claim, showing that most pediatric deaths from flu occur in unvaccinated children.
Unique Health Risks Facing Children
Respiratory illnesses present unique challenges for children, primarily due to their anatomical and physiological differences, according to medical experts. Elizabeth Choma, a pediatric nurse practitioner, explains, “Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers have smaller airways. Making it harder for them to breathe when those airways become inflamed. Infants are also obligate nose breathers, relying solely on their noses for breathing. When congestion sets in, it complicates basic activities like feeding and increases the risk of dehydration.”
Among respiratory illnesses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a notable threat. While RSV infections are generally mild in healthy adults. Infants and older adults are at significantly higher risk for severe outcomes. The virus can quickly cause breathing difficulties in young children due to their narrower airways and reliance on nasal breathing.
Recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights a concerning trend. The RSV positivity rate is climbing faster than rates for influenza or Covid-19. Hospitalization rates for children are increasing sharply, signaling the seriousness of the virus this season. For the week ending November 23. There were approximately three RSV-related hospitalizations for every 100,000 children—double the rate from a month earlier. The situation is even more alarming for infants under one year of age. With at least 21 hospitalizations per 100,000 during the same period, up significantly from fewer than 14 a month prior.
By contrast, RSV hospitalizations among adults remain relatively low, with the rate not exceeding 0.5 hospitalizations per 100,000 so far this season. This stark disparity underscores the vulnerability of younger populations to RSV and similar respiratory diseases. Pediatric health experts emphasize the importance of preventive measures, including vaccination and early medical intervention. To reduce risks and improve outcomes for children.
Rising Pressure on Children’s Hospitals Amid Respiratory Illness Surge
Children’s hospitals are facing increasing pressure as respiratory diseases, including walking pneumonia caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, spread rapidly among young children. This uptick has placed significant strain on pediatric healthcare systems across the U.S.
The CDC first flagged a surge in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in October, and the situation has not stabilized. Global cases began rising in 2023 following years of reduced spread during the Covid-19 pandemic. U.S. surveillance data reveals that hospital visits peaked in August and have remained elevated, particularly among children. Alarmingly, cases among children aged 2 to 4, who are not typically a high-risk group for walking pneumonia, have risen significantly, according to CDC findings.
The surge in respiratory illnesses is putting stress on hospital systems already grappling with supply chain challenges and crowded emergency departments. Dr. Torey Mack, Chief Medical Officer for the Children’s Hospital Association, notes that some hospitals are feeling the strain just weeks into the respiratory illness season. For example, the emergency department at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, is nearing capacity due to rising RSV and pneumonia hospitalizations.
In central Virginia, pediatric pneumonia cases requiring hospitalization have spiked. Dr. David Marcello, Chief of Pediatric Hospital Medicine at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University, predicts the situation may worsen as colder weather keeps families indoors, pollen and mold levels rise, and holiday gatherings increase exposure.
