Physicians Concerned About Virus Trends, Urge Vaccination

Christine Hartford

Christine Hartford, M.D., is a staunch advocate of the influenza vaccine. From what she’s seen early this flu season, she’s as passionate as ever about encouraging individuals to protect themselves.

Hartford is an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the College of Osteopathic Medicine-Arkansas (NYITCOM-Arkansas) and works as a pediatric hospitalist at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Her recent experiences in the hospital and clinic have given her cause for concern. 

“I worked two hospital shifts earlier this week, and every single pediatric admission I had was a respiratory virus infection,” Hartford says. “They were all either RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), flu, or both. We anticipate an increase in COVID infections over the next couple of weeks as well. All things combined, it makes it as important as ever to get vaccinated to protect yourself and others.”

Following two years of relatively low flu and RSV numbers, Hartford believes we could be in for an unusual winter, especially considering what’s already happening this early in the season. She’s also concerned about the number of individuals who may be infected with multiple viruses—such as influenza, RSV, and COVID-19—at the same time.

“The seasonal patterns of these infections are out the window post-COVID,” Hartford says. “We were seeing RSV all summer, and RSV is usually a late fall to early spring virus. We’re already getting bombarded with it. I feel like we can’t count on things acting as they have in the past, and it’s really hard to predict what’s going to happen.”

Hartford concurs with medical leaders who believe measures the public took over the last two years to prevent COVID-19 contributed to significant reductions in flu and RSV, but now that the majority of people are no longer as diligent about masking, handwashing, and social distancing, there appears to be a resurgence of respiratory viruses.  

“We’re not even in peak season, and children’s hospitals are already getting hit pretty hard,” Hartford says. “If it keeps going like you’d expect your normal flu and RSV season to go, it has the potential to be pretty bad, and I’m concerned about what that could potentially mean for hospital capacity.” 

Leading to Hartford’s increased pleas for vaccination as well as good hygiene habits. While there is no vaccine for RSV, there is for flu and COVID. The strains that are included in this year’s flu vaccine are expected to be a good match with the most common strains that are circulating.

“Also, it’s important to remember that if you get vaccinated for flu and COVID and still contract the virus, you’re much less likely to have a severe illness than someone who is unvaccinated,” Hartford says. “The vaccine gives your immune system a head start in the fight, so you shouldn’t get as sick or be sick for as long.”

Influenza and COVID vaccines are now available and recommended for children six months of age and older, and boosters of the COVID vaccine are recommended for those five years and older.

“Anyone who is around a baby who can’t get vaccinated, they especially need to make sure they receive their vaccine to help protect that vulnerable individual,” says Hartford. “It’s also important to stay home if you have any cold symptoms at all. RSV could be just a sniffle for an adult, but if you pass that to a child, it has the potential to make them very sick. We all have to look out for each other.”