After two years of influenza cases being kept largely at bay by the pandemic precautions, experts say several signs suggest we won’t be as lucky this year.

New COVID-19 cases continue to fall in the United States, and more states and communities are rolling back precautions. But experts are carefully monitoring a variant of omicron known as BA.2.

Doctors and nurses fear the new omicron variant of the coronavirus could make things even worse at Michigan’s hospitals.

There is global concern about what impact the omicron variant could have on the COVID pandemic. Experts agree that it’s only a matter of time until omicron is detected in the United States.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) vaccine advisory panel is set to meet Thursday and Friday, Oct. 14-15, over Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots.

Because of restrictions put in place to protect people from coronavirus, last year’s flu season never arrived. However, there is growing concern that this year’s flu season could be severe.

While coronavirus pandemic precautions helped keep the flu away last year, experts are worried that we won’t be so lucky this year.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

The University of Michigan hosted an expert panel Thursday morning to discuss vaccines and current surge in Michigan.

ANN ARBOR – Now that the vaccination effort against COVID-19 is ramping up, what will the weeks and months ahead look like? This is what infectious disease experts from the University of Michigan School of Public Health and Michigan Medicine will be discussing on a virtual panel on COVID-19 vaccines on April 8 from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. The event will be moderated by Dr. Emily Martin, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Panelists include:Dr. Arnold Monto, Professor of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public HealthDr. Sandro Cinti, Clinical Professor of Infectious Diseases, Michigan Medicine and Ann Arbor VA Health SystemDr. Laraine Washer, Clinical Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases, Michigan MedicineRelated reading:

ANN ARBOR – New research from the University of Michigan shows that reinfections of seasonal coronaviruses are common, suggesting that the virus behind COVID-19 could be endemic. “The frequency of reinfections with the different seasonal coronaviruses suggests that SARS-COV-2 is not going to completely disappear.”AdThe researchers used data on 3,418 individuals from the Household Influenza Vaccine Evaluation from the years 2010-2018. Upon evaluating the data, the team found 1,004 seasonal coronavirus infections. Additionally, 27 percent of the reinfections occurred within one year of the initial infection, which researchers say is a relatively short period of time given the virus’ seasonal nature. “In our study, participants had high levels of anti-spike protein binding antibody to seasonal coronaviruses, but these antibodies did not correlate with protection from infection,” Petrie said in a release.

After fears about a twindemic -- with the coronavirus pandemic taking place during flu season -- the flu has virtually disappeared altogether this year. In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic began during flu season, which created an added challenge for doctors and hospitals. But this year, he says that the University Hospital hasn’t seen any cases of the flu this entire winter season. Related: Nearly 2.4 million Michigan residents have received flu vaccine this season (Nov. 2020)AdThe Michigan Health Department labs have reported only five positive flu tests this entire flu season. More: Amid COVID-19 pandemic, flu has disappeared in the US

Local 4 asked Monto to reflect on the vaccines’ success and asked what’s next. READ: 1 year into COVID: What we wish we’d knownAdThe original goal of the COVID-19 vaccines was to be at least 50 to 60 percent effective. He said the biggest challenge facing the FDA’s Vaccine Advisory Committee has not been evaluating the actual vaccines, but rather, not being able to gather in-person to do it. Monto said there will be more vaccines coming before the advisory committee for their consideration. He said they may also be called to examine the data on how the vaccines perform in children, once those trials are finished.

READ: Michigan residents 50+ with chronic conditions now eligible to receive COVID vaccineHowever, there are several key factors that could determine the path the next year could take. More U.S. residents are getting vaccinated at the rate of about 2 million doses daily. If this continues, 70% of the U.S. population could be fully vaccinated by the end of July and 85% by mid-September. “You want to do it gradually and see what the effects are.”READ: 1 year into COVID: What we wish we’d knownOther factors include how long the vaccine’s protection will last and if there are variants that current vaccines won’t be effective against. Vaccine trials are underway in older children, but a vaccine likely won’t be authorized until the fall at the earliest for those 12+.

The first confirmed coronavirus cases in Michigan were announced March 10, 2020. READ: First 2 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Michigan: What we know, don’t knowIn the last 365 days, Michigan has seen nearly 600,000 confirmed cases and 16,000 COVID-related deaths. READ: 1 year into COVID, what would you go back and tell yourself? Experts estimate that about half of all COVID cases are spread by people who are asymptomatic or presymptomatic. Most expects expected COVID to subside as the we entered warmer weather, but instead there were summer surges in many parts of the country.

February is usually the peak of flu season, with doctors' offices and hospitals packed with suffering patients. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)NEW YORK – February is usually the peak of flu season, with doctors' offices and hospitals packed with suffering patients. One pediatric flu death has been reported so far this season, compared with 92 reported at the same point in last year’s flu season. Nevertheless, many labs are using a CDC-developed “multiplex test” that checks specimens for both the coronavirus and flu, Brammer said. That also is challenging the planning of next season's flu vaccine.

DETROIT – A million vaccines have been distributed in Michigan, which sounds like a lot, until you realize it isn’t nearly enough. On Sunday’s episode we turned to one of the leading authorities on vaccines. Dr. Arnold Monto, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health spoke about where we stand on vaccine distribution. And Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson puts forth her prescription for strengthening Michigan’s elections. The state leader spoke about the issue more on Sunday.

Several states are loosening their coronavirus restrictions on restaurants and other businesses because of improved infection and hospitalization numbers but are moving cautiously. Gretchen Whitmer said bars and restaurants can welcome indoor customers next week for the first time in 2 1/2 months. Chicago and surrounding suburbs allowed indoor dining over the weekend for the first time since October. "But we won’t be hemorrhaging money like we have the last three months.”Washington, D.C., also recently ended its monthlong ban on indoor dining, but one in New York City remains in effect. Indoor dining is still banned in the hardest-hit counties.

University of Michigan’s Dr. Arnold Monto, a world-renowned expert in infectious disease prevention and vaccine effectiveness, held a Q&A on the Pfizer vaccine and emergency use authorization. Monto, chair of the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee, hosted an online chat Wednesday to reassure people that the speed in Operation Warp Speed is due to advances in science and large monetary contributions, not shortcuts in safety. Those large studies have given the FDA a lot of data on the vaccines. “This is one of the major success stories of the response to the pandemic,” Monto said. “There may need to be further studies in children.”Will Monto get a vaccine if he’s authorized?

“For total transparency, it’s going to be on YouTube,” said Dr. Arnold Monto, acting chair of the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee. That’s important to know, said the University of Michigan’s chief health officer Dr. Preeti Malani. Review: CDC’s frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccinationAre the experts you trust getting the vaccine? The bottom line: I hope everyone will listen, learn and ask the questions you need to ask to make an educated decision about the vaccine. Related: Will Michiganders be willing to get COVID-19 vaccine?

New TodayBefore any COVID-19 vaccines can be rolled out to the public they have to be granted an emergency use authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration. Doctor Arnold Monto, a world class epidemiologist from the University of Michigan School of Public Health will lead the vaccine advisory committee. In terms of where the vaccine will go first in Michigan, those details are still being finalized. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 320,506 as of Tuesday, including 8,688 deaths, state officials report. READ: 97 takeaways from epidemiologist’s deep-dive into Michigan COVID-19 spread, deaths, future outlookNew COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in Michigan.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Pfizer and BioNTech submitted their COVID-19 vaccine to the FDA to be considered for an emergency-use authorization Friday. In 2018, he showed Local 4 his “Flu Lab” at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Monto will lead the committee that will advise the FDA on whether or not to grant an emergency-use authorization for any coronavirus vaccines. RELATED: Local 4 assignment editor shares experience with COVID-19 vaccine trialThe FDA is not required to follow the recommendation of its advisory committee, but it typically does. “It’s an intellectual pressure, not a political pressure,” Monto said.

DETROIT The state of Michigans COVID-19 confirmed case numbers hit a major milestone Friday, breaking 100,000 confirmed cases across the state. As of Aug. 28, 2020, Michigan has 100,699 confirmed cases. The state also lists probably cases at 10,385, bringing Michigans total to just over 111,000 cases. The confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the state is 6,446 with 266 probable deaths, being about 6% of all cases. 100,000 cases is an important benchmark because it does show how real and broad the pandemic is, but beyond being a sad statistic, it doesnt mean as much to me as cases per million population, McGeorge said.

What's all this talk about a second wave of U.S. coronavirus cases? In The Wall Street Journal last week, Vice President Mike Pence wrote in a piece headlined There Isnt a Coronavirus Second Wave'" that the nation is winning the fight against the virus. But there is at least one point of agreement: Second wave is probably the wrong term to describe what's happening. When you have 20,000-plus infections per day, how can you talk about a second wave?" But in those cases, the second wave is a distinct new surge in cases from a strain of flu that is different than the strain that caused earlier illnesses.

DETROIT Can a stack of Swiss cheese help protect you from the coronavirus (COVID-19)? Public health officials said the Swiss cheese approach to reducing the risk of being infected can help keep people safe. Thats where Swiss cheese comes in. Each intervention that we currently have for COVID-19 prevention is kind of like a slice of Swiss cheese, Malosh said. The more layers of Swiss cheese you have, the less likely a hole shows all the way through.