Senior Respiratory Threats 2025

As reported by the CDC, respiratory virus activity is increasing in the US ahead of the Christmas holiday week, with flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) posing a triple threat, particularly to seniors and other high-risk groups.

Despite the availability of effective RSV vaccines for older adults, uptake remains relatively low. As of December 2024, approximately 32.8% of adults aged 60 and older reported having received an RSV vaccine. This rate is significantly lower than the annual influenza vaccination rates for the same age group, which approach 50% Among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries 75 years and older enrolled in Part D plans, the vaccination rate was 25.7% as of September 2024.

The concurrent peaks of respiratory viruses pose a significant challenge for healthcare systems, particularly in their impact on older adults. During the 2023-2024 respiratory virus season, COVID-19, influenza, and RSV peaks occurred simultaneously in multiple regions, potentially increasing the combined hospitalization burden. This synchronization of viral activity can lead to a surge in healthcare demand, straining resources and potentially compromising patient care.

As of mid-December 2024, flu activity in the United States is showing significant regional variations, with several states emerging as hot spots. Louisiana and Oregon are reporting very high flu activity, while 13 other states, primarily in the South and West, are experiencing high levels of outpatient visits for flu-like illness1. Nationally, the percentage of outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms has risen to 3.8%, surpassing the national baseline of 3.0% for three consecutive weeks