Influenza, RSV, COVID-19: What FPs Need to Know Now

Jan. 25, 2023, 8:11 a.m. News Staff — Although this winter’s convergence of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 has been less severe than many people expected, patients still need sound advice to protect themselves against a possible late-season second wave.

To help members give their patients that advice, AAFP President Tochi Iroku-Malize, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., and Senior Vice President for Research, Science and Health of the Public Julie Wood, M.D., M.P.H., have recorded a new member update, “A Conversation About COVID-19, RSV and Seasonal Flu,” available on the Academy’s Current Hot Topics webpage.

The update covers the latest information that family physicians need on topics including

• COVID-19 omicron subvariant XBB.1.5;
• provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that allow older adults with Medicare prescription drug coverage to receive certain vaccines with no out-of-pocket cost;
• the importance of vaccines to protect against COVID-19, especially bivalent boosters that significantly reduce hospitalization and death;
• antiviral medications and at-home treatments for influenza;
• therapeutics such as Paxlovid for mild to moderate COVID-19 in higher-risk patients, along with other options like remdesivir and molnupiravir; and
• populations that may be more vulnerable to influenza, RSV and COVID-19.

In addition to the member update, resources on the Academy’s Immunizations and Vaccines webpage include clinical guidance on practice planning for COVID-19 and influenza viruses.

Members can also find resources for family physicians on the AAFP’s COVID-19 webpage and patient-facing materials on vaccines at familydoctor.org.