(Adds clarification to paragraphs 2 to 4)
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an alert on Thursday urging healthcare providers to increase vaccination coverage for influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The health regulator said low vaccination rates, coupled with continued increases in respiratory disease activity, could lead to more severe illness and increased pressure on healthcare capacity in the coming weeks.
Health care providers should recommend antiviral medications for influenza and COVID-19 to all eligible patients, especially older adults and people with certain underlying conditions, according to the CDC.
Over the past four weeks, hospitalizations across all age groups have increased by 200% for flu, 51% for COVID-19 and 60% for RSV, according to CDC data.