Open AccessProtecting Vulnerable Patients from Influenza During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Author(s) -
William Schaffner,
Robert A. Gabbay,
Allen J. Taylor
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
infectious diseases in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1536-9943
pISSN - 1056-9103
DOI - 10.1097/ipc.0000000000001048
Subject(s) - medicine , pandemic , human mortality from h5n1 , vaccination , disease , covid-19 , diabetes mellitus , environmental health , chronic disease , health care , intensive care medicine , immunology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economic growth , economics , endocrinology
The 2020-2021 US influenza season, although mild, initially raised concerns about an unprecedented dual threat of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, circulating alongside seasonal influenza viruses. Although everyone is susceptible to influenza infection, adults with chronic health conditions (including heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes) are particularly vulnerable to influenza-related complications including hospitalization, disability, and death-as are older adults (65+ years) and adults in underserved communities, in which rates of chronic health conditions are higher. Many of the chronic health conditions associated with an increased risk of influenza-related hospitalization and mortality are the same conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care professionals must prioritize influenza vaccination for all patients, especially those with chronic health conditions.