It’s still not over.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine on January 27, 2025, highlights that COVID-19 continues to be a more significant cause of illness and death than influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the U.S. The research, which examined the 2023-2024 cold and flu season, found that 60% of respiratory illnesses treated by the Veterans Health Administration were attributed to COVID-19. In comparison, influenza accounted for 26% and RSV for 13%. This indicates that COVID-19 remains more prevalent and causes more severe health outcomes than the other two viruses.
The study, led by Dr. Kristina Bajema, analyzed the medical records of 72,939 veterans who were treated for COVID, influenza, or RSV between August 2023 and March 2024. The results showed that while hospitalization rates for COVID-19 and influenza were similar, COVID patients faced a higher long-term risk of mortality, particularly within six months of infection. This suggests that COVID-19 has more lasting health impacts than influenza or RSV.
Vaccination status was a key factor in determining the severity of illness. Veterans who were unvaccinated against any of the three viruses were more likely to experience severe disease, including hospitalization and death. For those who had received vaccinations, the study found no significant difference in mortality between COVID-19 and influenza, underscoring the protective benefits of vaccination.
The study also found that COVID-19 led to higher hospitalization rates and long-term mortality than influenza and RSV, especially among unvaccinated individuals. Researchers emphasized that vaccination is a critical strategy in reducing the impact of respiratory viral diseases, particularly as new variants of COVID-19 continue to emerge.
In conclusion, the research highlights the ongoing threat of COVID-19, which continues to have more severe effects than other respiratory illnesses like the flu and RSV. It also reinforces the importance of vaccination in preventing severe health outcomes, including death, from these viruses, especially as new variants circulate. The study stresses the need to maintain vaccination efforts to manage the health risks posed by COVID-19.
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