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Tripledemic may return to Europe this winter: Vaccination still key
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Tripledemic may return to Europe this winter: Vaccination still key

Four years after COVID-19 first emerged,1 it remains difficult to forecast how severe the 2023–24 respiratory infection season will be.2,3 It is likely that influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will co-circulate in a tripledemic.2  

Vulnerable populations (older, those with underlying health conditions and pregnant women) are at a higher risk of developing severe cases of these respiratory infections.2  This winter, a tripledemic could put significant pressure on healthcare facilities.2 

Looking back to the last tripledemic

The 2022–23 influenza season was particularly severe, after two winters with relatively low influenza infection rates.4 Last influenza season began sooner, reached an earlier peak in positivity than the four preceding seasons and widespread influenza activity lasted for a longer period of time than the 2021–22 influenza season.5 

In the winter of 2022–23, RSV began circulating in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) sooner and at higher rates than in the 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2019-20 seasons.6 Healthcare facilities in the EU and EEA were put under significant strain because of the co-circulation of the above three respiratory infections.3 

More on this topic: EMEA braces for possible influenza epidemic next winter 

Tripledemic: how to mitigate its potential impact

WHO/Europe recommends that patients who are part of vulnerable populations receive a seasonal influenza vaccine and an updated COVID-19 booster.2,3 The ECDC also encourages healthcare professionals to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza and COVID-19.3 

Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used when caring for infected patients.3 “Despite uncertainties as to how the 2023–24 season will evolve, we need to act now to minimise the expected burden on healthcare systems caused by co-circulation of respiratory viruses,” concludes Dr Ammon.3 

More on this topic: World Immunisation Week—vaccines and syringes then and now 

References

  1. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). COVID-19. Published October 6, 2023. Accessed October 10, 2023. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19
  2. World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Europe. COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory viruses – 2023-2024 autumn and winter season. Published online September 29, 2023. Accessed October 10, 2023. https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/covid-19–influenza–and-other-respiratory-viruses—2023-2024-autumn-and-winter-season
  3. Ammon A. ECDC Director: Protect people’s health this autumn through vaccination and other preventive measures. Published September 21, 2023. Accessed October 10, 2023. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/ecdc-director-protect-peoples-health-autumn-through-vaccination-and-other-preventive
  4. Goodman B. Three respiratory viruses could make you sick this season – but for the first time, there are vaccines against all of them. CNN. Published August 18, 2023. Accessed October 10, 2023. https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/18/health/respiratory-viruses-what-to-expect/index.html
  5. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Seasonal influenza 2022−2023: Annual Epidemiological Report for 2023. Published July 2023. Accessed October 10, 2023. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/seasonal-influenza-annual-epidemiological-report-2022-2023.pdf
  6. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Intensified circulation of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and associated hospital burden in the EU/EEA. Published December 12, 2022. Accessed October 11, 2023. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/intensified-circulation-respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-and-associated-hospital

This list of references to third-party peer-reviewed material and the sites they are hosted on are provided for your reference and convenience only, and do not imply any review or endorsement of the material or any association with their operators.  The Third-Party References (and the Web sites to which they link) may contain information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated. Your access and use of the Third Party Sites (and any Web sites to which they link) is solely at your own risk. 

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