Don’t leave your
patients
EXPOSED
to COVID-19
COVID-19 remains an active, year-round health concern. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, consider all prevention options for your patients at increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, who may experience treatment disruptions or disease flares.1-7
COVID-19 is a complex disease with a Significant impact4,8
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates* that from September 28, 2025, through September 26, 2026, there were4:
5.2 million to
14.6 million
COVID-19 illnesses
1.1 million to
2.7 million
COVID-19 outpatient visits
170,000 to
270,000
COVID-19 hospitalizations
*Each week, CDC estimates a range (ie, lower estimate and upper estimate) of COVID-19-associated hospitalizations that have occurred since the beginning of a 12-month surveillance period. The numbers above are based on data from September 28, 2025, to September 26, 2026. These numbers are not final and are subject to change as more data become available.
Risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes exist on a spectrum that can change over time as patients age, develop comorbidities, or experience changes in immune status5,9
Risk status can change over time
A patient’s risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes is not static. Factors such as advancing age, development of comorbidities, and changes in immune status can increase vulnerability over time. Regular reassessment of risk factors can help ensure patients are appropriately identified and managed.5,9,10
At-risk patients may be overlooked
Patients at increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, who may experience treatment disruptions or disease flares, may not always be easy to identify during routine visits. Patients with hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, autoimmune conditions, chronic kidney disease, and certain chronic lung diseases, as well as transplant recipients and patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies, may benefit from a closer look at their COVID-19 prevention needs.6,7,9-11
Routine assessment supports
proactive care
Incorporating risk assessment into routine care can help identify patients whose prevention needs may have changed. Consider factors such as age 65+, chronic kidney disease, certain chronic lung dieases, and cancer, along with therapies that may affect immune function, when evaluating an individual patient’s prevention plan.5,9-11
Early identification can
strengthen prevention planning
Recognizing patients who may be at higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes before infection occurs creates an opportunity to reassess prevention needs. Identifying patients such as those aged 65+ or living with chronic kidney disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, or certain chronic lung diseases can support proactive conversations about whether their current approach may provide adequate prevention.5,9-11
References: 1. CDC. National wastewater data for respiratory viruses. Accessed October 7, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/wastewater/respiratory-viruses/national.html 2. Nextstrain. Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 with subsampling focused on North America since pandemic start. Accessed August 17, 2026. https://nextstrain.org/ncov/open/north-america/all-time 3. CDC. How to protect yourself and others. Accessed April 16, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/prevention/index.html 4. CDC. Preliminary estimates of COVID-19 burden. Accessed October 8, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/surveillance/burden-estimates.html 5. CDC. Underlying conditions and the higher risk for severe COVID-19. Accessed October 8, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/clinical-care/underlying-conditions.html 6. Rini BI et al. JAMA Oncol. 2025;11(9):990-998. 7. Mageau A et al. PLoS One. 2024;19(10):e0309316. 8. Ashraf UM et al. Physiol Genomics. 2021;53(2):51-60. 9. CDC. COVID-19 treatment clinical care for outpatients. Accessed October 8, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/clinical-care/outpatient-treatment.html 10. CDC. People at increased risk for severe respiratory illnesses. Accessed September 16, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/risk-factors/index.html 11. CDC. Clinical considerations for special populations. Accessed October 8, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/clinical-care/considerations-special-groups.html