The missing season: The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on influenza Comment

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many have worried that the additional burden of seasonal influenza would create a devastating scenario, resulting in overwhelmed healthcare capacities and further loss of life. However, many were pleasantly surprised: the 2020 Southern Hemisphere and 2020-2021 Northern Hemisphere influenza seasons were entirely suppressed. The potential causes and impacts of this drastic public health shift are highly uncertain, but provide lessons about future control of respiratory diseases, especially for the upcoming influenza season. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the seasonal influenza was entirely suppressed, providing valuable lessons for the future control of respiratory diseases.