List of vaccines available to protect against COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, Mount Sinai experts say

Respiratory viruses, e.g. influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) They exist and are growing stronger.Added to this is Coronavirus diseasethe virus continues to spread, with cases increasing in recent weeks.

To counter what some people say “Triple Dilemma” For all three viruses, state and federal health officials urge people to use vaccines to protect themselves. Two Mount Sinai experts came up with a list of recommendations based on each respiratory virus.

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are not as high as they were at the height of the pandemic. Pandemic. But hospitalizations — which are still being reported — have increased in recent weeks. “We cannot forget COVID-19 yet,” Dr. Cummings said.

Monday, September 11, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorizes the use of newer COVID-19 vaccines that are formulated to more closely target currently circulating variants. FDA approved vaccines Pfizer and Modernacalled a vaccine messenger RNA or “mRNA” for the type of technology they use, Suitable for ages 12+. It granted emergency use authorization for the same vaccine in children 6 months to 11 years old.

Tuesday, September 12, a small group Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) voted in favor The latest vaccines are recommended for everyone six months and older.

The CDC recommends that most people get a new dose of the vaccine at least two months after their most recent dose. Immunocompromised individuals and parents of young children should consult their doctor for recommended dosage.

Dr. Cummings said the updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are monovalent, meaning they are designed to target a single variant of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19, but are expected to provide broad protection against SARS- The same is true for other currently dominant circulating variants of CoV-2.

He also insisted that patients should check with their primary care doctor’s office or local pharmacy to find out how and when they can get the new vaccine. Cummings added: “Based on past developments, a vaccine could be available to the public within days once recommendations are made.”

Respiratory syncytial virus usually causes mild cold-like symptoms in most healthy adults that resolve within a few days. However, RSV can cause serious complications in infants and older adults with pre-existing heart or lung disease. Currently, new vaccines are available to protect these high-risk groups.

“RSV is everywhere,” Duchon said. “You can try to prevent it, but even then, your options are limited. While parents can practice good hand hygiene and stay away from other sick people, babies often have siblings who go to school or daycare.”

Dr. Duchon said most deaths or serious illness (usually lower respiratory tract disease) caused by RSV occur in infants aged 0 to 6 months.

In July, FDA approved Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab-alip)marketed in the United States by Sanofi, Suitable for babies entering their first RSV season and vulnerable individuals under 24 months.

In August, FDA approved Abrysvo™, from Pfizer, as maternal vaccine Protects babies from birth to six months of age. Beyfortus is given directly to the baby after birth, while Abrysvo is given to the mother between 32 and 36 weeks into her pregnancy.

ACIP recommends that Beyfortus be given to all infants younger than 8 months of age born during (or beginning) the first RSV season (usually between fall and spring). A second dose is recommended for children 8 to 19 months of age who are at higher risk for severe RSV illness (such as those who are immunocompromised).

Abrysvo has not yet received recommendations from ACIP, but media reports suggest the meeting may take place in September.

In addition to Beyfortus, ACIP may recommend Abrysvo. “We hope that childhood vaccines will help prevent severe disease, while maternal vaccines will add an extra layer of protection,” Duchamp said. However, he noted that given the way clinical trials are set up, expert panels are likely to scrutinize the data and carefully consider messaging. “This may be a shared decision-making between the mother and the doctor,” Duchamp added.

For older adults, FDA approved in May Alexvi™ as Vaccine suitable for people 60 years of age or older. “Especially for people with heart or lung disease, RSV may worsen their condition,” Dr. Cummings said.

“Older adults in vulnerable populations should discuss with their health care provider whether they should be vaccinated, especially as RSV season approaches,” Dr. Cummings said.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the fall 2022 to spring 2023 flu season saw a significant increase in November and December of the previous year. Although it is difficult to predict when the 2023-2024 flu season will peak, In August, the CDC recommended that people get a flu shot in September or October.

“We are starting to see some cases of influenza A in our health system, which is related to the development of influenza A and B trends in the fall and winter,” Cummings said. This is by no means a prediction of an early or severe flu season, but It recommends that everyone over six months of age should get a flu vaccine unless there are contraindications.

As always, the annual flu vaccine has been updated with new formulations to target the strains most likely to spread this season. It’s recommended for anyone six months or older, according to the CDC.

Last year, the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene encouraged people to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time if possible. Officials have been urging New Yorkers to send similar messages in order to catch up on routine vaccinations.

“Even if you are not at high risk for flu complications, getting vaccinated will prevent you from getting sick, or if you do get sick, your symptoms will be milder after vaccination than without the vaccine,” Cummings said. “Everyone should get a flu shot,” he added.

Bernard Cummings, MDis Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and Jennifer Duchamp, MDis associate professor of pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai