Niagara County showing higher rates of respiratory illness, lower rates of vaccination

Jan. 19—Niagara County currently is showing higher rates of respiratory illness and lower rates of vaccination, a situation that poses a "significant" threat to public health, local health department officials warned on Friday.

Due to respiratory illnesses including COVID-19, flu and RSV, hospitalization rates are elevated and healthcare systems are strained both locally and nationwide, according to an advisory issued by the Niagara County Department of Health.

"Our community experiences longer wait times in medical offices, urgent care centers and emergency departments, decreased availability of hospital beds for pediatric patients and adults who are more acutely ill, increased number of respiratory illness outbreaks in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals, longer patient stays, increased rates of healthcare-associated infections, and poorer outcomes including excess deaths," reads the advisory co-signed by Daniel Stapleton, public health director, and Tracy Fricano Chalmers, director of public health planning and emergency preparedness

Statewide, according to the health department, the current rate of hospitalization for adults aged 18 to 49 years is 19%, which is contributing to "an excess strain" on the healthcare system. As of Jan. 17, only 13% of hospital beds in Western New York were available.

Trends in flu data in Niagara County follow those observed across the state, according to the health department. As of the week ending Jan. 6, a total of 550 flu cases had been reported, and during that week, adults aged 18 to 49 years accounted for 33% of all new flu cases. That is to say, the incidence of flu in adults has been increasing.

The total number of flu vaccinations for all persons 6 months and older in the 2023-2024 season lags behind last year's rate at this time, the health department said.

Further, it noted: Only 9.9% of Niagara County residents, and 11% of all New York residents, have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine; and only 16.7% of New Yorkers aged 60 and older have received the RSV vaccine.

NCDOH says vaccination for those who are healthy, especially those aged 5 to 49 years, offers protection for the individual as well as others they are in contact with, such as classmates, coworkers and family members who might have a higher risk of complications from respiratory illness.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends all people aged 6 months and older stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and receive a seasonal flu vaccine. RSV vaccination is recommended for those 60 years and older or pregnant. CDC also recommends nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody product, for all infants younger than 8 months who are born during, or entering, their first RSV season, as well as some older babies.

Citing the latest data from CDC, the health department said:

— Rates of Covid- and influenza-association hospitalization remain elevated throughout most of the country; and while a rapid increase in Covid-associated hospitalizations has slowed, and influenza-associated hospitalizations declined in the past week, rates of hospitalization for RSV remain elevated.

— Currently, deaths attributed to respiratory illness in the United States represent 4.5% of all deaths.

— Covid continues to cause a larger number of hospitalizations and deaths than flu and RSV combined.

UPCOMING VACCINE CLINICS

The Niagara County health department offers flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at public clinics. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are recommended. For more information and registration links, visit the health department online (through www.niagaracounty.com/departments). These clinics are upcoming:

TODAY at the Family Empowerment Center inside Cornerstone CFCU Arena, Lockport, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WEDNESDAY at North Tonawanda Public Library, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

JANUARY 29 at Porter Town Hall, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.