CHICAGO — As respiratory virus season begins, the American Medical Association (AMA) is urging everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated against the three main respiratory viruses expected to again circulate this year—influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Specifically, the AMA encourages everyone six months and older, including pregnant people, to receive the annual flu and updated COVID-19 vaccines, ideally by the end of October. The AMA also urges older adults to get vaccinated against RSV to prevent severe illness, and encourages families to be aware of the new options available to protect infants during RSV season, including maternal vaccination as well as long-acting monoclonal antibody immunization for infants that reduces the risk of both hospitalizations and health care visits for RSV.
“Becoming ill from respiratory viruses is common, especially during the fall and winter. For the first time, we have vaccines available to protect the public against the major respiratory viruses expected to circulate during respiratory virus season,” said AMA President Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., M.P.H. “We strongly urge everyone who’s eligible to get the updated COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones from severe complications, hospitalization, and death.”
While vaccination continues to be the most effective way to protect against the flu, COVID-19 and RSV and their potentially serious complications, it is also important to take actions such as covering coughs and sneezes, frequently washing your hands, wearing masks, improving air quality, and staying home if you are sick to help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Should you develop symptoms, it is important to get tested as there are treatments available for flu and COVID-19 and can reduce the risk of severe outcomes. Treatment must be started within days of developing symptoms to be effective.
Anyone with questions about vaccines or other available protections against respiratory viruses should speak with their physician. Patients can also find a COVID-19 vaccine or flu vaccine by visiting www.vaccines.gov.
The AMA will continue to support evidence-based vaccines and treatments to help prevent severe disease and protect public health.
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Editor’s note: Viewpoint from AMA President Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., M.P.H.
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About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
