Here is Dr. Klotman’s Week 303 video address. My summary of his address and a few other medical news items appear below.
Texas TEPHI Data
- Human Adenovirus, Parainfluenza virus, RSV, and Influenza viral levels are all up – as is typical during respiratory virus season
Influenza
- Most Texas Influenza cases are Influenza A H3N2 subclade K
- Nationally, there have been 19K hospitalizations for Flu this past week
- There have been five pediatric Flu deaths this year – most if not all, unvaccinated children
- So far for 2026, the US has had 7.5 million cases of Influenza, 81K hospitalizations, and 3,100 deaths
- Despite RFK, Jr, the CDC recommends Flu vaccine for everyone 6mos+ of age
- Tamiflu is still effective against influenza for those who become infected
Hospital Visitor Restrictions
- Hospitals in several states have begun to limit visitors due to Influenza risk
- 95% of current Influenza cases are Influenza A and 92% of those are H3N2
COVID
- COVID peaks the past few seasons have seemed to follow the Influenza peaks; if that holds this year, we will see much more COVID activity later this winter
- The dominant COVID strain these days is XFG; the current vaccine appears to be effective against it
- COVID continues to be 10-12 times more lethal than Influenza
Vaccines
- El Chumpo and his nitwit DHHS Secretary have sought to align US vaccine recommendations with Denmark. This is patently stupid. Denmark has a population smaller than Houston, Texas. It has Universal Health Care, and it provides extensive, free preventive screenings. The US is nothing like Denmark!
- The new (faux) ACIP vaccine schedule has removed Meningococcal vaccine; this is an idiotic if not criminal recommendation that will result in preventable deaths and morbidity [These are my editorial comments, not Dr. Klotman’s]
- The same is true for childhood Hep A and Hep B vaccinations
- If in doubt regarding vaccines, follow the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations. The CDC, under the Trump regime is not a reliable source of health recommendations
- Measles is an ongoing viral challenge in Utah, NC, SC, and Kentucky. Stay tuned for news of additional outbreaks
In other medical news, COVID in my peer group (septu- and octogenarians) accounts for about 50% of all cases, ~70% of outpatient visits and hospitalizations, and 81% of all COVID deaths. I know that I sound like a broken record, but what the hell. Get vaccinated, wear your mask, and avoid crowded settings (eateries, theaters, etc.) until respiratory illness season is over. Sigh.