Respiratory virus season is coming

Respiratory virus season is coming—but for the first year ever, we have protection against COVID-19, influenza, AND RSV. Plus, new market research highlights what’s needed to continue to grow the sustainable aviation fuel market. (494 words, 2 minutes, 28 seconds)

Respiratory virus season is coming – but we have vaccines for the big three

Health officials expect a busy “respiratory virus season” with spikes in influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)—but it’s the first year we have protection against all three.

COVID rising: The new “Eris” variant drove up U.S. COVID-19 hospitalizations 12.5% July 23-29, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Global cases grew 80% between July 10 and August 6 compared to the previous month, says the World Health Organization (WHO).

A big flu season in parts of the Southern Hemisphere has officials worried we can expect similar in the U.S. this fall. 

But vaccines work: In their first two years, COVID-19 vaccines saved 3.2 million lives and prevented 18.5 million hospitalizations in the U.S. alone, according to a study. U.S. flu vaccinations last year prevented 1.8 million illnesses, 22,000 hospitalizations, and nearly 1,000 deaths, CDC says.

New landscape for RSV: In addition to having vaccines for influenza and COVID-19, this is the first RSV season in which have protection against RSV for both older adults and infants.

What’s ahead: Public health officials are still concerned about this year’s respiratory virus season, but the good news is we have protection for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV to help avoid the risks of a “tripledemic.”

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a time to promote the importance of vaccines—for children going back to school soon, and everyone. It’s a simple step with life-or-death implications. 

SAF market set for takeoff, says market research

The sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) market will soar as airlines respond to environmental concerns and government incentives, says new market research. 

The key finding: The SAF market will experience a compound annual growth rate of 52.9% between 2022 and 2032 as its value increases from $0.4 billion to $18.26 billion, says new market research.

The main driver: airlines’ need to reduce carbon emissions, says the findings from Market Research Future.

Why it matters: Airline travel causes 2% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, but SAF “could reduce commercial aviation emissions by an estimated 80%,” says BIO CEO Rachel King.

But a big barrier is capacity. Current planned production capacities will provide just 1-2% of jet fuel demand by 2027, says the International Energy Agency.

How do we get more SAF? With good policy. The Biden administration’s SAF Grand Challenge encourages production of 3 billion gallons annually by 2030, while the Inflation Reduction Act includes SAF tax credits.

What else do we need? More good policy. BIO is pushing for inclusion of SAF incentives in the 2023 Farm Bill.

BIO’s view: “There’s been a lot of support for ethanol and soy-based biofuels for a long time. It’s time for us to get SAF up to speed,” says John Torres, BIO’s Director of Federal Government Relations for Agriculture & Environment.

Listen: I am BIO podcast on SAF.

President Biden’s Monday: Returning to the White House from Delaware, with no public events scheduled.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: The House and Senate are in recess through Labor Day.