The United States has recently encountered a significant surge in COVID-19 cases, marking its second largest wave of the pandemic in January 2024. Meanwhile, England witnessed COVID rates peaking at approximately one in 24 individuals in December 2023. Singapore also faced a record number of COVID cases and a surge in hospitalisations during the same month. These occurrences highlight that COVID remains a pressing public health issue, resulting in 10,000 deaths across 50 countries and a 42% increase in hospitalisations in December 2023 alone.
Although COVID may not currently be classified as a global health emergency, it continues to claim numerous lives and inflict harm on individuals worldwide. Despite this, it seems that COVID has lost some of its prominence in media coverage and social media attention, leading some to believe that it is no longer a significant concern. However, disregarding the existence or severity of COVID poses a dangerous situation.
COVID complacency, exhibited by governments, the media, and the general public, poses a threat to the overall well-being of the population, healthcare services, and particularly to vulnerable groups such as older adults and those with pre-existing health conditions. Contrary to popular belief, COVID is not becoming milder. While this has been known for some time, recent research suggests that the Omicron variant may be evolving into more severe forms.
Another common misconception is that recovering from a previous COVID infection enhances the immune system. Although infection does stimulate antibody production, obtaining antibodies through vaccines and boosters is a safer option. This is especially crucial considering mounting evidence indicating that repeat COVID infections increase the risk of long COVID symptoms, hospitalisation, and death.
Furthermore, high COVID rates place additional strain on already burdened healthcare systems. COVID, alongside influenza and other respiratory viruses, contributes to the healthcare crisis experienced in the UK and several EU countries. Additionally, long COVID imposes a substantial financial burden on healthcare services.
It is understandable that many people have grown less interested in COVID over the years, as it has been a prolonged four-year battle. However, research conducted in winter 2020 indicated that individuals were already experiencing COVID news and information fatigue. Nevertheless, raising awareness about the ongoing risks posed by COVID remains as important as ever.
To combat COVID complacency, it is crucial to maximise vaccine uptake. In the UK and many other countries, the uptake of booster shots among eligible individuals this year has been significantly lower compared to the previous year. Moreover, fewer population groups have been offered the vaccine. Future campaigns should focus on offering boosters more broadly. In the US, where new boosters are available to everyone, only two-in-ten individuals have taken advantage of the offer, including just four-in-ten of those aged over 65.
One of the primary reasons for individuals not receiving boosters is the misconception that vaccination is unnecessary after recovering from a previous infection. Vaccine campaigns should be accompanied by proactive, visible, and clear public health messaging to inform the public that boosters can still reduce the risk of illness, hospitalisation, and provide protection against newer COVID variants, such as JN.1, which the World Health Organization (WHO) classified as a “variant of interest” in December 2023 and may be more infectious than other variants.
Another effective strategy is to utilise proven protective measures. For instance, investing in improved ventilation is essential. Clean air is vital for public health and offers benefits beyond combating COVID. Adequate ventilation not only reduces the spread of COVID and other respiratory viruses but also helps reduce indoor air pollution. Furthermore, it can enhance school attendance and concentration in classrooms.
Masks also continue to serve as an effective protection against COVID. Spain, for example, recently reinstated face mask rules in hospitals and other healthcare settings. Existing evidence supports the efficacy of masks in reducing COVID transmission. Masks, like umbrellas, can be used when and where necessary. It would be beneficial for other countries to follow WHO advice and reintroduce face mask regulations in medical settings. This would help reduce hospital-acquired infections, protect vulnerable patients, and minimize sickness and absenteeism among healthcare workers.
We can coexist with COVID while simultaneously acknowledging and striving to mitigate the harm it can cause.
