Hospitalizations for influenza are the highest they have been at this time of year since 2010, the CDC reported Friday.
There have been at least 8.7 million illnesses, 78,000 hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths from influenza so far this season in the United States, according to the CDC, with hospitalizations doubling over the course of a week to 19,593 patients in the week ending Nov. 26. Read more in Healio.
“DEFINITION: Immunocompromised
Having a weakened immune system can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Many conditions and treatments can cause a person to be immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system. Primary immunodeficiency is caused by genetic defects that can be inherited. Prolonged use of corticosteroids or other immune weakening medicines can lead to secondary or acquired immunodeficiency.”
Learn more here.
“Moderately or severely immunocompromised” adults ages 18 and up who received an additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna’s mRNA vaccines may now receive a booster dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson at least 6 months after completing their third dose, the agency said.
They added that if a moderate to severely immunocompromised adult has received a two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna, and more than 28 days has elapsed, that person should “immediately” receive an additional dose of Pfizer or the full-dose volume of 100 μg for Moderna, followed by a single booster dose with any of the three authorized vaccines at least 6 months later.”
Read more, here.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its guidance on wearing masks Tuesday. In a reversal of its earlier position, the agency is now recommending that some fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors if they live in areas with significant or high spread.
Currently, much of the country falls into that category — with the exception of the Northeast and parts of the Upper Midwest. The CDC provides this link if you want to see the area of spread in the county where you live.
“This was not a decision that was taken lightly,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC’s director, acknowledging that people are “tired and frustrated.”
But Walensky pointed to new data showing that while vaccinated people still account for a small amount of risk, in rare cases they can get infected and spread the virus to others.”
Read more, here.
Find all recent updates from the CDC, here.
“Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.”
You can read all the recent updates and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on traveling during COVID-19, here.