From Fortune:



U.S. health officials predict an increase in flu and COVID-19 infections due to holiday gatherings, unvaccinated people, and a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus. Flu vaccinations are down compared to last year, and there has been slow uptake of updated COVID-19 shots. The CDC is urging doctors to immunize patients against these viruses. Some parts of the U.S., particularly the Carolinas, are already experiencing heavy traffic for respiratory infections, with hospital bed shortages. There is concern that the situation could worsen in the next few weeks. Despite these challenges, there is some encouraging news: current vaccines and antiviral medications are still effective against the new coronavirus variant.



Original: Health officials: COVID-19, flu set to spike during holiday season as vaccinations wane