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| US hospital flu cases hit 10-year high as vaccinations fall | US hospital flu cases hit 10-year high as vaccinations fall |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| US influenza hospital admissions have hit the highest rate in a decade as vaccinations sag, US officials say. | US influenza hospital admissions have hit the highest rate in a decade as vaccinations sag, US officials say. |
| They said adults have received five million fewer influenza jabs this year compared with the same time last year. | |
| Health experts are worried a so-called tripledemic of flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and coronavirus could swamp hospitals this winter. | Health experts are worried a so-called tripledemic of flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and coronavirus could swamp hospitals this winter. |
| At least 730 people have died of flu this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). | At least 730 people have died of flu this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). |
| While older people are the most vulnerable age group, at least four children are among the dead. | While older people are the most vulnerable age group, at least four children are among the dead. |
| CDC data shows there have been at least 1.6 million flu cases overall and some 13,000 people have been taken to hospital. | CDC data shows there have been at least 1.6 million flu cases overall and some 13,000 people have been taken to hospital. |
| This season's severity has not been matched at this point in the year since the H1N1 swine flu pandemic hit the US in 2009. | This season's severity has not been matched at this point in the year since the H1N1 swine flu pandemic hit the US in 2009. |
| "There's no doubt we will face some challenges this winter," Dawn O'Connell, the US Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) assistant secretary for preparedness and response, said at a media briefing on Friday. | "There's no doubt we will face some challenges this winter," Dawn O'Connell, the US Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) assistant secretary for preparedness and response, said at a media briefing on Friday. |
| Flu season in the US typically peaks in December and January but has surged early and rapidly this year. | Flu season in the US typically peaks in December and January but has surged early and rapidly this year. |
| Health officials said the coronavirus pandemic had sharply curbed the spread of flu and other respiratory viruses, | Health officials said the coronavirus pandemic had sharply curbed the spread of flu and other respiratory viruses, |
| So many young children are now encountering them for the first time, but may have little to no immunity, said the officials. | So many young children are now encountering them for the first time, but may have little to no immunity, said the officials. |
| The early arrival of flu season has been compounded by a rise in Covid hospital admissions, fuelled by the spread of different Omicron subvariants. | The early arrival of flu season has been compounded by a rise in Covid hospital admissions, fuelled by the spread of different Omicron subvariants. |
| It has also coincided with a country-wide surge in RSV, a cold-like infection that is estimated to claim more than 14,000 lives annually in the US, mostly among older Americans. | It has also coincided with a country-wide surge in RSV, a cold-like infection that is estimated to claim more than 14,000 lives annually in the US, mostly among older Americans. |