Experts think that the longer the control measures are in place before they are lifted , the greater the number of individuals who will be susceptible to an influenza infection — a situation that could lead to a more severe outbreak in parts of the country that had high levels of adherence to masking and other public health measures during the pandemic .
• are in place before they are lifted , the greater the number of individuals who will be susceptible to an influenza infection — a situation that could lead to a more severe outbreak in parts of the country that had high levels of adherence to masking and other public health measures during the pandemic . Additionally , the researchers anticipate that the global suppression of influenza activity during the pandemic may make it difficult to predict future circulating strains to inform the production of influenza vaccines . As a result , vaccine effectiveness might be reduced . Furthermore , suppression of influenza during the pandemic could lead to a surge of multiple influenza strains , including the A / H3 strain which has a high mortality rate and hasn ’ t been widely circulating since the 2018-2019 season . All these factors would contribute to a more severe outbreak .
Or maybe not . The suppression of influenza during the 10-week study period could be overstated in the data due to people ’ s reluctance to seek medical care for non-emergencies during the pandemic . Another question is whether antigenic escape ( viral mutations that allow it to evade the immune system ) rather than waning immunity is the predominant mechanism in the accumulation of population susceptibility to influenza . If so , influenza would have less opportunity to mutate while public health measures are in place . A more durable influenza immunity would also result in fewer people being susceptible to influenza when public health measures are lifted . All these possibilities would contribute to a less severe outbreak .
“ We ’ re in uncharted territory ,” says infectious disease specialist Soniya Gandhi , MD , vice president of medical affairs and associate chief medical officer at Cedars-Sinai . “ It ’ s possible that due to the relaxing of COVID-19 safety measures and with not enough public immunity to the flu because few people were exposed to it last year , we may be in for a more severe flu season . Because the symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are so similar , it will be critical to get tested if you become sick .”
She continues , “ A positive COVID-19 diagnosis would help guide you in terms of quarantining and self-isolation and when you ’ d be able to return to work or school safely . It could also guide your treatment . Monoclonal antibody therapy has been shown to be highly effective at preventing severe COVID-19 illness , hospitalization and death in individuals who are at risk of severe disease . If that were an appropriate option , you would need a positive test result within the last 10 days to qualify for a monoclonal antibody infusion . Lastly , an individual who has COVID-19 would want to understand their risk for developing ‘ long COVID .’ Many treatment programs for this condition require a previous positive diagnosis to qualify for care . With a confirmed flu diagnosis your medical provider could prescribe antiviral medications that can reduce the severity of symptoms but must be taken within 48 hours of diagnosis . A positive flu diagnosis also will confirm that you should self-isolate and quarantine to prevent spread to those around you , especially those who are most vulnerable to the illness , such as young children , pregnant individuals and older adults .”
COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
In early November , the Biden administration issued a decree requiring COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers , following a similar edict in September for all companies employing more than 100 workers . However , in late November , Senate Republicans were expected to formally challenge the Biden administration ’ s vaccine rule for private businesses under the Congressional Review Act , which is the official process for Congress to eliminate an executive branch rule . GOP Sen . Mike Braun of Indiana is leading efforts to strike down the Biden administration ’ s rule which mandates employees at private businesses with 100 workers or more to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan . 4 or be subject to weekly testing and mask-wearing . For a comprehensive look at the vaccine mandate , access the October issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine .
As of Dec . 5 , 2021 , more than 100 Republican members of Congress signed a letter sent to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ( CMS ) administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure opposing the Biden administration ’ s COVID-19 vaccination mandate for
healthcare workers . The previous week , a federal court halted the vaccine mandate for healthcare workers in 10 states , prompting CMS to temporarily suspend enforcement of the rule .
The administration ’ s mandate as it stands requires COVID-19 vaccination of eligible staff at healthcare facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs . CMS maintains that the emergency regulation “ protects those fighting this virus on the front lines while also delivering assurances to individuals and their families that they will be protected when seeking care .”
According to a CMS statement , “ The prevalence of COVID-19 , in particular the Delta variant , within health care settings increases the risk of unvaccinated staff contracting the virus and transmitting the virus to patients . When healthcare staff cannot work because of illness or exposure to COVID-19 , the strain on the healthcare system becomes more severe and further limits patient access to safe and essential care . These requirements will apply to approximately 76,000 providers and cover more than 17 million healthcare workers across the country . The regulation will create a consistent standard within Medicare and Medicaid while giving patients assurance of the vaccination status of those delivering care .”
The statement continues , “ Facilities covered by this regulation must establish a policy ensuring all eligible staff have received the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine prior to providing any care , treatment , or other services by Dec . 6 , 2021 . All eligible staff must have received the necessary shots to be fully vaccinated – either two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of Johnson & Johnson – by Jan . 4 , 2022 . The regulation also provides for exemptions based on recognized medical conditions or religious beliefs , observances , or practices . Facilities must develop a similar process or plan for permitting exemptions in alignment with federal law .”
CMS will ensure compliance with these requirements through established survey and enforcement processes . If a provider or supplier does not meet the requirements , CMS says it will be cited