Even like COVID-19 pandemic increases In the United States, the number of people suffering from the flu is reaching record levels. Experts say this is partly due to higher vaccination rates during the pandemic.
A record number of doses of influenza vaccine are produced and distributed in 2020, in an attempt to avoid a “twindemic“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 190.4 million flu vaccines have been distributed in the United States this season – the highest number of flu doses distributed in the United States in a single flu season.
Influenza vaccination among adults has increased by 46% – from 31.1 million in 2019 to 45.3 million since November 28.
High vaccination rates, combined with face masks, social distancing, school closures, home stay orders and lack of international travel, have led to a record number of flu cases.
Seasonal flu activity in the US remains lower than usual this time of year, the CDC said, with 3.3 percent of specimens tested positive in clinical labs last week.
Data from Walgreens, one of the largest suppliers of flu vaccines, confirmed that overall flu activity was low nationwide in November compared to normal flu seasons.
“The unprecedented demand we have seen for flu vaccines this season, along with the safety measures that everyone is taking to limit the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing, wearing face masks and frequent washing of can help reduce flu activity this season, “said Dr. Kevin Ban, medical director at Walgreens.
US hospitals are are approaching or are at capacity, but lower rates of flu infection help avoid devastating pressures on the health system. The resources commonly used to treat an influx of flu cases in December can now be used to treat patients with COVID.
“Influenza vaccination is especially important this season, because vaccination can help conserve medical resources and reduce the overall burden of respiratory disease on our health care system,” the CDC said.
A similar phenomenon has occurred in the southern hemisphere – now past winter – which has barely experienced a flu season this year.
Experts still advise that it is not too late to get the flu vaccine this year – and it could be more important than ever, cases of both the flu and COVID-19 are expected to increase after the holiday season.