On Thursday, the Biden administration ignored pleas from pediatric groups requesting the government to declare a public health emergency in response to the increase in childhood respiratory diseases.
As per NBC News, in response to pressure from the Children’s Hospital Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and other organizations, a Biden administration official stated in a statement that “public health emergencies are determined using nationwide data, scientific trends, and the insight of public health experts.”
The official stated that the administration is “prepared to assist communities on a case-by-case basis” and urged individuals to take preventative measures, such as “avoiding close contact with sick people, staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and maintaining their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.”
Pediatric hospitals across the United States are swamped by an unseasonably early influx of respiratory infections, including RSV and influenza, among infants and toddlers. Some regions of the United States are completely out of pediatric beds.
As of Wednesday, 78% of pediatric hospital beds nationwide were full, with seven states reporting capacity levels exceeding 90%, according to an examination of Department of Health and Human Services statistics by NBC News.
In a letter sent Monday, the Children’s Hospital Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics urged President Joe Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to declare a national and public health emergency “to support the national response to the alarming surge of pediatric hospitalizations.”
“This crisis deserves additional action and support” The organizations stated that the emergency designations will provide pediatric practices with greater freedom to respond to the influx of patients and free up federal resources, such as Federal Emergency Management Agency help.
In severe cases, RSV can lead to lung infections such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis, which may necessitate the use of supplementary oxygen or ventilators. Children with lung problems or a damaged immune system are especially susceptible to poor consequences, as are infants and children with underdeveloped immune systems.
From October 30 to November 12, more than 26,000 RSV tests were positive, which is much more than the number of positive tests registered during the same time period previous year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not track RSV infections, hospitalizations, or deaths on a nationwide scale.
In the past month, flu incidence have surged across all age categories, surpassing seasonal norms dating back to 2010-2011. Children under the age of 4 have one of the highest rates of influenza-related hospitalizations this season, second only to those aged 65 and older. Biden has urged individuals to receive the flu shot and current Covid boosters.
Biden stated last month at the White House, “We’re already seeing an increase in influenza, RSV, and other respiratory infections, especially among small children.” “My administration is performing its duties. We have made it simple and free to obtain these updated immunizations at tens of thousands of handy sites.”
In January, the Covid public health emergency, which has been extended multiple times since the pandemic began, will end.
