CDC Reports and Briefs Released on Vaccination Coverage and Treatment 

On December 21st, the CDC published four new publications in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly (MMWR) report. The documents describe COVID booster acceptance, RSV and flu shot numbers, and use of COVID treatments. Two of the four documents examine vaccine coverage of all adults and nursing home residents. The other two review the use data to determine if there is an association between COVID rebound and antiviral treatment use. Key points across the documents include: 

• COVID and flu vaccination coverage is low for most adults. Nursing home residents also had low COVID vaccination coverage rates, though flu vaccine was high compared to other adults. 
• COVID rebound can happen with or without antivirals. 
• The benefits of antivirals outweigh the risk of rebounding. Antivirals reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. 
• RSV vaccination rates for adults over age 60 are low in the community and in nursing homes. 
• “It is important that all nursing home residents get vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu and discuss the RSV vaccine with their clinician. Clinicians can do their part by offering recommended vaccinations to residents. Nursing homes are encouraged to collaborate with state, local and federal public health, and long-term care pharmacy partners to address barriers contributing to low vaccination coverage.” 

Here are the four documents CDC released on December 21st: 

• SARS-CoV-2 Rebound With and Without Use of COVID-19 Oral Antivirals | MMWR (cdc.gov) 

• Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Rebound After Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir Treatment in Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials — United States and International Sites, 2021–2022 | MMWR (cdc.gov)  

• Coverage with Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Among Nursing Home Residents — National Healthcare Safety Network, United States, December 2023 | MMWR (cdc.gov) 

• Influenza, Updated COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination Coverage Among Adults — United States, Fall 2023 | MMWR (cdc.gov)