HHS Releases Campaign to Promote Vaccine Recommendations for RSV, COVID-19, and Flu

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a national campaign aimed to inform the public about common respiratory viruses and available vaccines. In the campaign, called "Risk Less. Do More.", the researchers intend to promote immunizations and decreasing illness from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and influenza.¹

Image credit: Andrii Zastrozhnov | stock.adobe.com

“Respiratory illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV viruses usually surge during colder weather and can cause severe disease, hospitalization, and even death,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Jeffery A Nesbit. “The goal of the Risk Less. Do More. campaign is to increase confidence in vaccines that play an important role in preventing severe illness from these viruses and to provide the information that the American people need to make the decision to get vaccinated this fall and winter.”¹

As fall quickly approaches, cases of RSV will begin to rise before its peak season in the winter. According to data published by the CDC, an estimated 60,000 to 160,000 hospitalizations and 6000 to 10,000 deaths occur annually due to RSV among adults 65 years and older. Similarly, the CDC estimated 192,000 hospitalizations and 15,400 deaths due to influenza in the same patient population.² Additionally, during a 6-month period last fall and winter, all 3 viruses caused a total of 800,000 hospitalizations in the US. The risk of serious illness continues to increase among high-risk patient populations, including individuals 65 years and older, residents of long-term care facilities, pregnant individuals, those living in rural areas, and Black and Hispanic communities. Individuals considered high risk for severe RSV include those aged 75 years and older, those who are 60 to 74 and reside in a nursing home, and individuals that have chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and kidney disease.^1,3

The campaign will provide research-based messages that will be shared through paid, earned, and owned media that includes TV, radio, print, social, and other digital and out-of-home platforms, according to authors. The organization plans to partner with national, state, and local organizations to provide resources to families and communities on how to protect themselves from RSV, influenza, and COVID-19.^1,3

“Risk Less. Do More. will be a crucial element of a multi-layered response to encourage people to get vaccinated so they can keep doing more of what they love,” said May Malik, Senior Advisor for Public Education Campaigns at HHS, in a news release. “The campaign is working closely with federal agencies, as well as national and local partners, to amplify and extend the reach of the campaign.”¹

Pharmacists can benefit from the campaign by receiving timely and up-to-date resources to share to patients that could mitigate vaccine hesitancy for RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 prevention. The release includes featured resources like patient handouts that inform patients on the differences of all 3 respiratory viruses and what to do if infected, helping to facilitate conversations between the patient and health care provider.^3,4

REFERENCES

1. HHS Launches National Public Education Campaign Ahead of Respiratory Virus Season. U.S Department of Health and Human Services. News release. August 19, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/08/19/hhs-launches-national-public-education-campaign-ahead-respiratory-virus-season.html.

2. Trygstad T. Do Not Underestimate RSV or Your Importance in Recommending Vaccines. Pharmacy Times. News release. July 12, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/do-not-underestimate-rsv-or-your-importance-in-recommending-vaccines.

3. U.S Department of Health and Human Services. Risk Less. Do More. Accessed August 28. 2024. https://www.hhs.gov/risk-less-do-more/index.html.

4. Patient Handout: What You Should Know about Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines. U.S Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://www.hhs.gov/risk-less-do-more/for-health-care-providers/patient-handout-what-you-should-know-about-flu-covid-19-and-rsv-vaccines/index.html.