County physician urges vaccination as updated COVID, influenza and RSV shots roll out

Dr. Eric McLaughlin, a physician presenting for the Cochise County Health Department, reviewed this season’s updated vaccines for COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and urged residents to be vaccinated to prevent severe illness.

Dr. McLaughlin said the 2024 COVID-19 vaccine targets the JN1 lineage and the KP2 strain and that for people ages 5 through 65 and older the guidance this season is “1 dose regardless of prior vaccine status.” He told the meeting that children 6 months to 4 years who are previously unvaccinated should receive two doses of Moderna or three doses of Pfizer, and that “65 and older…an additional updated vaccine following the 2023–24 dose.”

Why it matters: McLaughlin stressed that while vaccines do not always prevent mild symptomatic infection, they reduce severe outcomes. He cited efficacy figures presented during the meeting — “54% against symptomatic SARS CoV‑2” and reductions in mortality of about 57% for ages 70–79, 54% for ages 60–69 and 52% for ages 50–59 — and said the vaccines are intended to “keep you out of the hospital, and keep you out of the morgue.”

On influenza, McLaughlin said the seasonal adult vaccine for 2024–25 will be trivalent (H1N1, H3N2 and B Victoria) and remain a single annual dose for most people; previously unvaccinated children should get two doses four weeks apart for their first season. He described influenza vaccine effectiveness as variable and dependent on data collection methods but noted prior-year ranges presented at the meeting (for children, 52–67%; for adults, 27–79%).

On RSV, McLaughlin emphasized that “RSV is a leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States” and recommended vaccination strategies for multiple groups. He said infants under eight months receive a single dose by weight, some children 8–19 months with risk factors may need additional doses, and adults aged 60 and older are advised to receive a one‑time dose. He highlighted maternal immunization at 32–36 weeks’ gestation, saying vaccinating pregnant people “gives across the placenta transplacental protection to that infant.” He also reported high effectiveness numbers against serious RSV outcomes: “RSV vaccine in adults 60 and over reduce symptomatic, lower respiratory tract infection by 80 to 90%” and “90% effective in preventing hospitalization in infants.”

Audience questions and logistics: Attendees asked about timing and supply. McLaughlin said manufacturers had produced vaccines and that distribution logistics could cause short delays; he expected supply to be widely available within days to weeks. A participant, identified as “Moe,” asked whether people under 65 with comorbidities should get additional doses; McLaughlin recommended discussing individual risk with a primary care clinician and, if needed, obtaining a clinician’s order for pharmacies that require it. Health director Barbara (Barb) reported local pharmacies in Sierra Vista already had supply: “It started on Wednesday. So there is a supply currently.”

Bottom line: McLaughlin framed vaccination as prevention and risk reduction: “We want to prevent rather than treat…If we can't prevent you from getting the disease, we want to keep you out of the hospital, and we want to keep you out of the morgue.”