Prepping for Fall: It Is Time for Everyone to Get Their Annual Respiratory Virus Vaccines

American Lung Association launches campaign to educate people living with lung disease and other risk factors about critical vaccines

CHICAGO, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- September marks the unofficial start of the respiratory virus season and the potential for related spikes in influenza (flu), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), so the American Lung Association is urging everyone to talk to their healthcare provider now about recommended vaccines to protect themselves from severe illness, complications and hospitalization.

Each year, respiratory viruses cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, which significantly impact a person's work, school and family time. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network:

• There was an estimated 32 million illnesses, 390,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths during the 2025-2026 influenza season. 
• From October 1, 2025, through July 18, 2026, as many as 2.3 million COVID-19 outpatient visits and 240,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations.
• From October 1, 2025, through June 6, 2026, there have been an estimated 2.8 million RSV outpatient visits and as many as 340,000 RSV hospitalizations.

"Fortunately, vaccines are available and effective in keeping people healthy, active and out of the hospital. Vaccines are especially important for the 35 million individuals in the United States with lung disease, like asthma or COPD, because respiratory infections can worsen existing lung disease symptoms," said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association. "As families look ahead to the winter and the holiday season, the best thing they can do to protect their health is to make sure everyone is up to date on their recommended vaccinations."

The Lung Association encourages individuals to speak to a healthcare provider about receiving the following recommended vaccines to prevent severe illness this respiratory virus season, which typically peaks from October through March:

• Flu: Everyone ages six months and older is recommended to get a flu shot annually.  
• COVID-19: Everyone six months and older or their caregiver should discuss COVID-19 vaccination with a healthcare provider.
• RSV: Adults ages 50 to 74 who are at an increased risk of developing severe RSV illness, like adults living with chronic lung or heart disease, and all adults ages 75 or older are recommended to get a single RSV vaccine if they have not received one previously. Additional doses are not recommended at this time.

For the millions of people in the U.S. living with asthma, respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19 and RSV can place added stress on the lungs even when asthma is mild or well controlled. Respiratory viruses are the leading cause of asthma flare-ups, or exacerbations, accounting for up to 80% of asthma attacks, according to the CDC. Adults with asthma are more likely to develop pneumonia after getting sick with the flu than people who do not have asthma.

In addition, respiratory illnesses pose a serious risk to individuals with lung cancer because their body, including their lungs, is already vulnerable from cancer and its treatments, such as radiation and surgery. Many people with lung cancer may have weakened immune systems, meaning that they may not be able to easily fight off viral infections which can quickly become severe and lead to complications like pneumonia or hospitalization.

People living with COPD are also at increased risk of serious complications from respiratory viruses. Respiratory infections are a leading cause of COPD flare-ups, or exacerbations, which can worsen symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing and excess mucus production. These flare-ups can take weeks or longer to recover from and increase the risk of hospitalization and other serious complications.

Educating adults about vaccine-preventable disease is essential to reducing severe illness and hospitalizations. The Lung Association is working to achieve this by: 

• Sharing trusted, science-based information about vaccine safety, effectiveness and accessibility.
• Raising awareness about surveillance trends during the 2026-2027 fall and winter respiratory virus season.
• Educating people about factors that increase risk for severe symptoms and hospitalization from respiratory viruses, especially resources for people living with lung disease and lung cancer.
• Encouraging people to talk to their healthcare provider about risk factors for severe respiratory illness and recommended prevention strategies.

For more information on vaccines that protect against infectious respiratory diseases, visit Lung.org/vaccines.

Support for this campaign is provided by Moderna.

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