News & Views: Influenza Season 2021-2022 — Do We Know What to Expect?
Published on in Vaccine Update for Healthcare Providers
Published on in Vaccine Update for Healthcare Providers
Do we know what to expect for the influenza 2021-2022 season? The short answer is no. After all, do we ever know what to expect during influenza season? But this year’s predictability is complicated by the ongoing circulation of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. So, let’s take a look at what factors to consider, what to watch for and how to prepare.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released their report on influenza from late 2019 through 2020, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also released information in anticipation of the upcoming season. Key takeaways included:
Globally, rates of influenza during the 2020-2021 season were significantly lower than typical. According to the WHO, several hypotheses might explain this observation, with the possibility of a convergence of some factors:
Because the reasons for decreased influenza circulation last year have yet to be understood and because of waning immunity among individuals due to fewer opportunities for exposure, the potential for more severe outbreaks and an earlier than normal start to the season exists. Further, only time will tell which strains will most commonly circulate and whether any of them are novel variants.
While the upcoming influenza season will be more unpredictable than usual, we can prepare ourselves, our patients and our communities by implementing the following practices:
Contributed by: Charlotte A. Moser, MS, Paul A. Offit, MD
Categories: Vaccine Update July 2021, News and Views About Vaccines
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
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