from the editor
COVID and Influenza Co-Infection : Variants Impacted Illness Rates
In this month ’ s cover story , we look at the confluence of COVID-19 and influenza infections , reporting that many experts are concerned about a potentially severe flu season as we continue to explore a post-pandemic new normal .
While public health experts noted a considerable lack of influenza infections during the worst of the pandemic , a study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine reports a high prevalence of COVID-19 co-infections in central Missouri during the 2021-2022 flu season , with a monthly co-infection rate as high as 48 percent among individuals with COVID-19 .
The findings come from 462 patients at University of Missouri Health Care who tested positive for COVID-19 and were subsequently tested for influenza . Of those who tested positive for COVID-19 , 33 percent also tested positive for the flu .
“ Co-infection in our samples peaked in October 2021 at 48 percent when the Delta variant was dominant and reached the lowest point at 7.1 percent in January 2022 when the Omicron variant prevailed ,” says senior author Henry Wan , PhD , professor of molecular microbiology and immunology , veterinary pathobiology , electrical engineering and computer science .
Of the 462 patients infected with COVID-19 , 51 percent had the Delta variant , while 38 percent had the Omicron variant . Those who were infected with the Omicron variant and those who received at least one influenza vaccine during the 2020-2022 influenza seasons were less likely to become co-infected with both the flu and COVID-19 . They were also less likely to become hospitalized .
“ Despite low flu vaccine effectiveness for the 2021-2022 season , which was estimated at less than 16 percent , our study highlights the importance of influenza vaccinations , as they appear to not only offer some protection against influenza infections but importantly , against COVID-19 and flu co-infections ,” Wan says .
The researchers say future studies involving a wider geographic area and a more diverse population will be needed to provide more clarity on the prevalence of overall flu and COVID-19 co-infections and the effectiveness of both COVID-19 and flu vaccines .
“ Testing for both flu and COVID-19 viruses in patients experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness and vaccinations against both viruses should continue to be encouraged ,” Wan says .
Their study , “ SARS-CoV-2 and influenza co-infection ; a cross sectional study in central Missouri during the 2021-2022 influenza season ,” was recently published in the journal Virology .
Until next month , bust those bugs ! Kelly M . Pyrek Editor & Publisher kelly @ healthcarehygienemagazine . com
Despite low flu vaccine effectiveness for the 2021-2022 season , which was estimated at less than 16 percent , our study highlights the importance of influenza vaccinations , as they appear to not only offer some protection against influenza infections but importantly , against COVID-19 and flu coinfections .” — Henry Wan , PhD healthcarehygienemagazine
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