According to Warren County Schools, an average of 26 percent of students were absent on Thursday for illness, and one school reached 30 percent, causing a few schools to move online Friday and Monday. Infectious disease scientist and health policy expert at Vanderbilt University Dr. William Schaffner spoke to the McMinnville Rotary Club Thursday about a few viruses that are affecting Warren County and the rest of the nation.
“So let’s talk about what we anticipate this winter,” said Dr. Schaffner, “and worst case scenario is what we will call a ‘tridemic’ because there are three very nasty respiratory viruses out there already, and if they all gang up on us, we will be stressed.”
He listed COVID-19, influenza, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) as the biggest threats to our public health right now. Dr. Schaffner addressed how the "tridemic" is what doctors and healthcare professionals are concerned about the most. “COVID, we anticipate will have some seasonal increase. Influenza, which started early, and here it is already wreaking havoc. And RSV, that’s come very early; that’s usually a January, February virus, but here it is. It’s November.”
Schaffner said that it’s believed that the culture of the COVID-19 pandemic with the reopening of the world may have something to do with the early virus season. “We’re traveling. We’re going to in-person meetings such as the Rotary Club. We’re doing all of these things, getting back to normal. That provides opportunities for these viruses to take advantage of everybody getting back together again and spreading.”
He was asked if it was recommended to get the flu and COVID vaccines simultaneously, in which he answered, “If you get them simultaneously, there’s no summation of side effects, so that’s very good. Except, you may have two sore arms for a day.” Schaffner then was asked if someone who just had the flu should get vaccinated. He replied, “The answer is yes. My goodness, why is that? Because there are a number of different influenza virus strains out there at the moment. And remember, the vaccine provides protection against four strains.”
Schaffner responded to a question about the potential of a combined flu and COVID vaccine saying, “Yesterday, there was a news release that they are indeed working on a combined influenza and COVID vaccine with the hopes that they’ll at least have it ready for the adult population next season.” He said the scientists are trying to use the same mRNA technology used in the COVID vaccine in a new flu vaccine that could possibly be administered simultaneously.
Dr. Scheffner gave one piece of advice to the Rotary Club before opening the floor to questions, “Get vaccinated. Get that COVID booster. Get that influenza vaccine. It’s the best for you, personally. It’s the best for your family. It’s best for your community.” Catch the rest of the discussion on the air on McMinnville Public Radio 91.3-WCPI this Tuesday at 5 p.m.; Wednesday at 5 a.m.; Thursday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 1 a.m.
