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  5. COVID-19 for Healthcare Providers

COVID-19 for Healthcare Providers

CDC estimates that, from October 1, 2025 through May 2, 2026 there have been:

3.8 million – 12.3 million

COVID-19 illnesses

760,000 – 2.3 million

COVID-19 outpatient visits
CTA

120,000 – 250,000

COVID-19 hospitalizations
CTA

SARS-CoV-2 activity has consistently peaked during July through September and again in December through February as the virus rapidly evolves. The data represented above does not include the 2025 summer wave of COVID-19 illness.

Factors and Conditions that Increase Risk for COVID-19 include:

  • Older adults
  • Chronic lung disease (asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension)
  • Cancer
  • Smoking- current or former
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Diabetes
  • Heart conditions
  • Immunocompromise because of a condition or medication
  • Tuberculosis
  • And, more

There are strategies and therapeutics to help prevent severe COVID-19 illness, complications and hospitalization:

2025-26 COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for individuals 6 months and older with healthcare provider consultation (to view comprehensive recommendations, visit the ‘recommendations’ section below). The following COVID-19 vaccines are approved:

  • Moderna’s Spikevax (approved for 6 months+) and mNexspike (approved for 12 years+)
  • Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty (approved for 5 years+)
  • Novavax’s Nuvaxovid (approved for 12 years+

COVID-19 vaccines are underutilized. During the 2025-26 respiratory season, only 18.5% of adults received a COVID-19 vaccine with only 31% of adults 65-74 and 37% of those 75+. A healthcare provider’s strong recommendation is a key factor in vaccine acceptance.

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (medication for preventing COVID-19)

  • Pemivibart, a preventive monoclonal antibody for individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. This is indicated for people ages 12 or older and weigh at least 88 pounds in addition to vaccination. This can be given at least two weeks after vaccination as an IV infusion.

There are several antiviral medications available to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in individuals at increased risk.

Treatment
IndicationWhen it should be taken
Method of delivery
Nirmatrelvir with Ritonavir (Paxlovid)
Ages 12+
As soon as possible, within 5 days of symptom onset
Orally
Remdesivir (Veklury)
Children & adults
As soon as possible, within 7 days of symptom onset
IV infusion for three consecutive days
Molnupiravir (Lagevrio)
Adults
As soon as possible, within 5 days of symptom onset
Orally


Healthcare providers should proactively discuss steps to take with their patients at increased risk should they become ill. 

Additional preventive strategies like handwashing, masking, ventilating indoor air and more.

American Lung Association Resources for Patient Education:

The Underutilization of COVID-19 & Flu Antivirals (Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity + Progress)

Strategies to Improve Adult Immunization in the US (National Foundation for Infectious Diseases)

Strategies to Improve Adult Vaccination Coverage (Immunize.org)

Page last updated: May 18, 2026

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