Singaporean experts have responded to recent overseas studies suggesting that Omicron, though less virulent than earlier variants, caused more fatalities than the flu in the last winter season. Two studies—one by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and another by the Rabin Medical Centre in Israel—compared mortality rates among COVID-19 and flu patients.
The VA study, covering hospitalizations between Oct 1, 2022, and Jan 31, 2023, found a 6% death rate for COVID-19 patients, higher than the 3.7% for flu patients. The Rabin Medical Centre’s study, focused on December 2021 and January 2022, reported a 26% mortality rate for Omicron patients compared to 9% for the flu.
Dr. Alaa Atamna, leading the Israeli study, suggested that the higher Omicron death rate might be linked to older patients with additional major underlying illnesses.
Despite a surge in COVID-19 cases globally, Singapore observed a spike in late March, with subsequent fluctuations. Meanwhile, flu cases have been increasing, with Dr. Asok Kurup, an infectious diseases specialist, highlighting severe influenza cases requiring hospitalization.
Experts, including Professor Ooi Eng Eong, cautioned against directly comparing the deadliness of the flu and COVID-19. They stressed that the studies focused on hospitalized patients, not those infected, and factors like age and underlying health conditions played a crucial role.
Professor Leo Yee Sin highlighted uncertainties about a seasonal pattern for COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of vaccination, especially for the elderly and vulnerable. The experts unanimously agreed on the crucial role of vaccinations in reducing severe illness and death.
While emphasizing the critical need for COVID-19 vaccination, Professor Ooi suggested that ongoing studies would determine the frequency of booster shots. However, Professor Hsu Li Yang expressed uncertainty about whether vaccination for COVID-19 should follow the flu pattern until better data is available.
Professor Leo noted the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines but emphasized the need for further study on booster doses’ timing and frequency. The collective message from experts emphasizes the importance of vaccination in safeguarding vulnerable populations.
COVID-19: coronavirus disease of 2019; mRNA: messenger ribonucleic acid
Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited.
Adapted from the following news article: Link
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