Make a Difference this Fall and Winter Virus Season by Recommending the Right Immunizations

Flu, COVID-19, and RSV can be serious health threats. Who should be vaccinated to get serious protection during the 2024-2025 fall and winter virus season? Dr. Jones, an adult primary care provider, recommends this year's COVID-19 and flu vaccines for all his patients, and he recommends the RSV vaccine to adults 60-74 years old He lets his patients know that these vaccinations cut their risk of hospitalization in about half for each illness. Dr. Lee, a pediatrician, has seen children who are healthy and children with chronic diseases get so sick that they were hospitalized with flu, COVID-19, or RSV. She knows that flu and COVID-19 vaccination cuts the risk of hospitalization by about half in kids under 5 years, and Nercevumab prevents 9 in 10 RSV hospitalizations in babies. So Dr. Lee always recommends COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccination for children ages 6 months and older. During the fall and winter virus season, she also recommends Nercevumab to all babies younger than 8 months if their mother didn't get an RSV vaccine, or 8-19 month olds with certain health conditions. Dr. Cooper, an OBGYN, tells all her pregnant patients to protect themselves and their babies by getting this year's COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Because RSV is the number one reason babies are hospitalized, she also recommends the maternal RSV vaccine called Abrisvo when her patients are 32-36 weeks pregnant. Another option is to give the baby Nercevumab, which protects babies who are born during RSV season. People trust their health care providers for information on vaccines. Make a difference this fall and winter virus season, make strong recommendations for vaccinations, and respond to your patients' questions. Visit CDC's website for more information and materials to share with your patients.