Federal Health Agency Launches COVID and Influenza Vaccine Campaign

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said that it is launching a campaign to boost COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines ahead of the fall and winter months. In an announcement on Aug. 19, the federal health agency said that it is trying to “increase awareness of vaccines” for influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus, more commonly known as RSV. “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 Nesbit in a statement. While the agency did not provide specific data on the vaccines, Nesbit added that HHS’s goal for the coming months 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.”...