Khaberni - Health experts in Massachusetts have sounded the alarm after an unprecedented decline in vaccination rates, coinciding with the rise of respiratory diseases.
Health officials in Massachusetts, USA have warned of a concerning decline in vaccination rates against seasonal flu and coronavirus, at a time when the state is experiencing a significant increase in cases of respiratory diseases, raising fears of a more severe winter than usual.
Press reports quoted Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, head of the infectious diseases department at Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham, predicting an increase in flu cases this year compared to last season, confirming that current indicators suggest a more severe wave than the previous year.
According to data from the state's Department of Public Health, only 34% of the population has received the flu vaccine this season, while the COVID-19 vaccination rate is about 11%, which are clearly low rates compared to previous years.
Dr. Larry Madoff, Medical Director of the Office of Infectious Diseases and Laboratory Sciences at the department, explained that these numbers are the lowest in the last five years, noting that Massachusetts has traditionally achieved high vaccination rates, but this year's delay is causing significant concern among health authorities.
The weekly report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that flu activity in the state has reached very high levels, driven by the spread of a new subvariant known as K, which explains the rapid increase in the number of cases.
Kuritzkes explained that there is a partial mismatch between the current vaccine and the circulating strain, but emphasized that vaccination remains a fundamental tool for reducing the risk of severe complications, even if it does not completely prevent infection.
Regarding reasons for vaccine hesitancy, Madoff pointed to what he described as "vaccine fatigue," explaining that years of contradictory and misleading information have contributed to a decline in trust, noting the escalation of anti-vaccine rhetoric this year and its direct impact on citizens' decisions.
The doctors confirmed that there is still an appropriate time to get vaccinated, especially since the peak of the flu season usually occurs during January and February, warning against complacency at this stage.
Regarding the coronavirus, Kuritzkes noted that infection rates are currently low, but warned of a possible increase following the flu wave, a common scenario that may recur in the coming weeks.
