Breathe Easy This Winter: New Campaign Urges Vaccination to Protect Against Seasonal Flu and Other Respiratory Illnesses

CHICAGO, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the American Lung Association launched a campaign to educate individuals about the importance of immunizations to protect against respiratory diseases. Vaccines are the best tool to help protect people from severe illness, hospitalization and even death from several illnesses, including influenza (flu); COVID-19; pneumococcal pneumonia; pertussis (whopping cough); and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), especially for individuals at high risk for health complications.

Millions of people in the United States get sick from respiratory illnesses each year, with some seasonal virus cases typically peaking from October through March. During the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season, it is estimated that there were up to 82 million cases of the flu alone, resulting in up to 37 million medical visits, up to 1.3 million hospitalizations, and between 127,000 and 130,000 deaths, according to Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) preliminary estimates. During the 2023-2024 respiratory season, the CDC reported that COVID-19 vaccination prevented 68,000 hospitalizations, 13,000 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and 5,300 in-hospital deaths.

"Immunization is especially important for older adults and individuals with certain health conditions who are at increased risk of severe illness, complications and hospitalization from these vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases," said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "Not getting vaccinated puts you, your family and your neighbors at risk for severe disease."

Vaccines help prepare the body to defend itself from germs like viruses and bacteria. And immunity through vaccination is safer and often longer lasting than immunity you develop after you get sick (also known as "natural immunity") as you cannot predict the severity of illness and recovery needed from a disease.

Older adults and individuals with certain health conditions are at increased risk of severe complications from respiratory diseases that are preventable through vaccination. An unvaccinated older adult faces a higher risk of hospitalization and even death from the flu, pneumococcal pneumonia, RSV or COVID-19. This is because, as people age, their immune system naturally weakens, making them more susceptible to infections. Also, older adults often have one or more underlying health conditions like asthma or other chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, etc., which further increases their risk. Respiratory infections can worsen existing chronic conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), leading to decreased quality of life and prolonged recovery times.

The Lung Association's new campaign is raising awareness on the importance of these five vaccinations to help protect adults against severe respiratory illness:

• Influenza(flu): Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older, ideally in September/October though vaccination can continue throughout the season as the flu virus circulates.
• COVID-19: COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone six months and older with shared clinical decision-making, which is a discussion between a patient or caregiver and their healthcare provider.
• RSV: Adults ages 50-74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease, and adults age 75 and older should receive a single vaccine if they have not received one previously; additional doses are not recommended.
• Pertussis (whooping cough): Tdap is a combination vaccine that provides protection against pertussis and is recommended for all adults. A Tdap vaccine can be given at any time of the year and is especially important for adults living with asthma or COPD, who are at higher risk for complications.
• Pneumococcal pneumonia: Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for adults age 19-49 with certain chronic health conditions or risk factors and all adults age 50 and older.

Pregnant women and individuals who are immunocompromised often have additional vaccination recommendations and should consult their healthcare provider to be sure they are up to date on their recommended vaccinations.

Often, multiple vaccines can be administered in a single healthcare provider visit; ask your healthcare provider about what vaccines are recommended for you. For more information, contact the Lung Association's HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA. To learn more about vaccines, visit Lung.org/vaccines.

Support for this new campaign was provided by Sanofi.

About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events or donate today at Lung.org/donate.

CONTACT: 
Jill Dale | American Lung Association
P: 312-940-7001 M: 720-438-8289E: [email protected]

SOURCE American Lung Association