COVID-19, RSV, and the seasonal flu are all respiratory infections caused by different viruses. You can decrease your risk of a respiratory infection by washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning frequently touched objects, and minimizing time in crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces. However, one of the best ways to protect yourself is to get your annual flu shot, get vaccinated against COVID-19, and talk to your medical provider about whether you are in an adult age group that has a FDA approved RSV vaccine.
Care Compass’ Chief Medical Officer Wayne Teris, MD, CPE, FAAFP, answered the following frequently asked questions about these illnesses.
Q. Is COVID-19 still here? Are there new variants and should I be concerned?
A. Yes, COVID-19 is still around. As of August 28th, there has been an increase in the number of COVID-19 associated hospitalizations. The good news is that, so far, the number of hospitalizations isn’t as high as previous spikes.
There are currently three different variants: the XBB1.5 which is presently decreasing in prevalence, the EG.5.1 which is becoming the more predominant variant, and the newest variant BA.2.86 which, at this time, is not prevalent in the U.S. The latest variant has been shown to have many mutations and is being watched carefully due to the potential for immune escape, which means our immune systems would not be able to respond to the virus.
Q. Is there a new COVID-19 vaccine? Is it available yet?
A. The FDA has advised manufacturers of the vaccine that they should begin to develop vaccines that specifically target the XBB1.5 variant. This booster is still expected to be effective against the current EG.5.1 variant and possibly the newly emerging BA,2.86 variant.
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is meeting on September 12th to review the data and evaluate eligibility for the vaccine, as well as whether the benefit outweighs the risk and cost. If approved, the vaccine should be available around mid to late September.
Q. Should I wait for when the new COVID-19 vaccine is ready or get the current vaccine?
A. We recommend that you discuss this with your medical provider. However, in most cases it may make sense to wait for the new vaccine, which is scheduled to be available in early fall. The current vaccine is not as effective against the newer COVID-19 variants, which we are seeing emerge as we head into the fall and winter seasons.
Q. Who should get the flu shot?
A. Everyone 6 months of age or older should get the flu vaccine every season. However, there are rare exceptions, and you are advised to have a conversation with your medical provider, if you have any questions or concerns. Your medical provider can provide clarity on which vaccine to get as there are different vaccines approved for various age groups.
Q. When should I get the flu shot?
A. After getting the flu shot, it takes about two weeks for the antibody levels to reach their peak, which provides you with increased protection again infection. These antibodies start to decrease after about 6 months. Most experts suggest timing the flu shot for September or October to allow you to have full protection ahead of when the flu starts increasing in numbers. A fall flu shot should keep you protected through the end of the season in April. Of note, the pre-pandemic flu generally peaked in mid-January. However, last year the flu peaked in November, which was earlier than usual.
Q. What is RSV?
A. RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms and tends to be especially serious for infants and older adults, particularly those with chronic medical conditions. In these cases, hospitalization and even death could occur. Last year RSV began in early November, which is earlier than normal, and was particularly high in children under 5, which overwhelmed several pediatric hospitals across the country.
Q. Is there a vaccine for RSV?
A. There is an RSV vaccine for adults aged 60 and older. The FDA has approved a vaccine for pregnant women to prevent illness in their infants, once they are born. This vaccine will be evaluated by the CDC who will set recommendations for usage. Currently there is a long-acting monoclonal antibody product which has been approved and should be available soon for all infants under 8 months (and some older babies at increased risk). The monoclonal antibody is not a vaccine, but it will help protect against RSV.
Q. Is the RSV vaccine safe and effective?
A. Yes. Preliminary studies show that the adult RSV vaccine is effective against severe disease. Further studies are ongoing as there were rare instances of adult neurological events that occurred post-immunization. These numbers are too small to determine if this was significant, however, further studies will be ongoing. Should you have any questions or concerns if this vaccine is right for you, speak with your medical provider.
The infant monoclonal antibody product has been found to be safe and effective and has been endorsed by healthcare experts.
Q. Is the RSV vaccine covered by insurance?
A. Medicare Part D covers the RSV vaccine, but some private insurance plans may not. This is due to the CDC recommendation that adults “may” get the vaccine rather than “should” get the vaccine, and the adult RSV vaccine has not yet been included in the CDC’s annual vaccine schedule. Each person should check with their insurance provider to see if the vaccine is covered by their insurance and if there is a fee involved. As for the Infant monoclonal antibody products, these are likely covered by most insurance providers. However, please check with your specific insurance to see if it is covered or not.
Q. Can I get the Flu, RSV, and COVID-19 vaccines at once?
A. There is currently no combined vaccine. You could get all three vaccines at the same time, although this may not be ideal depending on your situation. You should discuss this with your medical provider, prior to getting the vaccines. The COVID-19 and flu vaccines are safe to take together, and preliminary evidence suggests that adult RSV and flu vaccines may be safe together., Nonetheless, as of right now, we don’t fully know the potential safety risk of getting all three vaccines at once. Most experts recommend getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines together and getting the RSV vaccine at least 2 weeks either before or after.
References:
- COVID-19: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC
- Flu: Who Should and Who Should NOT Get a Flu Vaccine | CDC
- RSV: RSV Vaccine Information Statement | CDC
- RSV: Infants and Young Children | CDC
Disclaimer: The materials presented are purely educational and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. Each one of us is at varying degrees of risk and should consult with our own health care provider to receive appropriate medical advice or recommendations. The information included in this blog post was current as of August 30, 2023.