Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the United States is now in a flu epidemic, as recorded cases, hospitalizations and deaths nearly doubled over the past week. There have been at least 730 flu-related deaths in the U.S. Officials warn vaccination rates are decreasing, with adults having received 5 million fewer flu shots in 2022 compared to last year. Government officials say they are prepared to deploy troops, FEMA personnel, and ventilators as hospitals become overwhelmed with the “tripledemic” of flu, RSV and COVID-19.

This comes as Pfizer announced last week trials of their experimental RSV vaccine were around 80% effective in protecting young infants up to 6 months from severe illness, when administered to pregnant people.