COVID-19 Annual Report: Important Takeaways Ahead of 2024/2025 Season
Recently, we published our first annual COVID-19 report, which provides an overview of the landscape in 2023-2024. The report compares the burden of COVID-19 to influenza, evaluates barriers to vaccine uptake, and discusses the continued evolution of the virus, including the potential for more virulent variants. It also addresses lower public acceptance of vaccination, identifying the obstacles contributing to these issues and offering solutions to improve COVID-19 response in future seasons. This release is especially timely, given yesterday’s meeting of the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee.
Comparative Burden of COVID-19 Versus Influenza
COVID-19 continues to cause a more significant burden than influenza in the U.S. For both infectious diseases, activity, hospitalizations, and deaths tend to follow peaks during the traditional winter viral respiratory season, however, influenza typically drops below endemic levels at certain points, while COVID-19 is responsible for significant burden throughout the year. Throughout the 2023- 2024 season, the cumulative rate of hospitalization due to COVID-19 was higher than for influenza during the same time period.¹ ²
Key Recommendations:
This annual report offers key recommendations to protect public health against the ongoing threat of COVID-19.
Fall 2024/2025 Season: The COVID-19 virus changes quickly, which is why the vaccine needs regular updates. For fall 2024, new COVID-19 vaccines will be available alongside flu shots. Public health authorities, including the CDC and WHO, have voiced support for co-administration of the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine. Getting both shots saves you time and an extra trip to your doctor’s office or pharmacy.
COVID-19’s Impact: COVID-19 is the leading cause of respiratory infectious disease leading to hospitalizations and deaths, no matter your age or health condition. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the risks and how to stay safe.
Get the Facts: Misinformation about COVID-19 is common. Talk to your doctor to get the facts and learn how you can protect yourself against COVID-19.
Click here for a full executive summary of the report.
¹CDC. RESP-NET Interactive Dashboard. Published October 6, 2023. Accessed April 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/surveillance/resp-net/dashboard.html
²Epic Research. Respiratory Illnesses. Epic Research. Accessed April 15, 2024. https://epicresearch.org/datatracker/respiratory-illnesses