CDC Health Alert: Urgent Need to Increase Immunization Coverage for Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV Immunizations and Use of Authorized/Approved Therapeutics in the Setting of Increased Respiratory Disease Activity During the 2023 – 2024 Winter Season

Department Resources

December 15, 2023

Health Advisory

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Advisory to alert healthcare providers to low vaccination rates against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and encourage strategies to increase vaccine coverage. This Health Advisory also includes antiviral recommendations as well as a patient conversation guide for healthcare providers.
Respiratory disease activity continues to increase in Northern VA (mid-December 2023); of note, Northern VA is reporting the highest level of influenza activity across the Commonwealth of VA at this time.
Vaccine uptake is much lower across most age groups for the 2023-2024 COVID vaccine compared to the bivalent vaccine, with only 16.3% of Fairfax residents currently vaccinated.

Healthcare providers are asked to review the CDC Health Advisory to ensure awareness of the recommendations.
Healthcare providers should administer influenza, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations now to patients, if recommended. If any of these vaccines are not administered at your practice site, be able to provide information on where vaccinations can be obtained and help patients plan to access these vaccines. Find vaccine locations at www.vaccines.gov.
Healthcare providers should recommend/prescribe antiviral medications for influenza and COVID-19 for all eligible patients, especially patients at high-risk of progression to severe disease such as older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions.
Healthcare providers should counsel patients about testing and preventive measures, including covering coughs/sneezes, staying at home when sick, improving ventilation at home or work, and washing hands to protect themselves and others against respiratory diseases.

Healthcare providers can track Fairfax County Health Department COVID activity and vaccination data by accessing the following websites: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and Virginia Respiratory Vaccine Dashboard.
While 59% of Fairfax residents aged 65+ received the annual flu vaccine, only 41% in this same age group received the 2023-2024 COVID vaccine. Most age groups under 65 report under 15% coverage with the updated COVID vaccine (0-4 yrs = 7.9%, 5-11 yrs = 9.5%, 12-17 = 10.8%, 18-30 yrs = 7.0%, 31-49 = 12.3%, 50-64 = 20.1%). A larger proportion of Non-Hispanic White residents received the updated COVID vaccine compared to other racial/ethnic groups (20.0% Non-Hispanic White, 15.6% Asian or Pacific Islander, 9.8% Black, and 6.9% Hispanic).
Local and state respiratory disease activity (including RSV, Influenza, and COVID-19) can also be seen on this Virginia Department of Health website.