The American Lung Association has launched a new campaign to inform the public about the importance of staying current with recommended vaccinations ahead of the upcoming respiratory virus season. The initiative targets over 35 million Americans living with chronic lung disease and the 235,000 people diagnosed with lung cancer each year, groups considered at higher risk for severe illness from respiratory viruses.
“Vaccines are the most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from potentially life-threatening illnesses. They are a critical first line of defense for individuals at high risk, including people living with lung cancer and chronic lung disease, as well as close contacts of people with weakened immune systems,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “The American Lung Association is committed to raising awareness around the role of vaccines to prevent severe illness and save lives. With this new campaign, we are sharing trusted, science-based information about how vaccines help keep families and communities healthy.”
People with underlying health conditions, older adults, and those with limited access to care face an increased risk of developing severe illness from infectious respiratory diseases. The campaign notes that preventable diseases such as influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lead to significant spikes in hospitalizations and severe cases each year.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that between October 2024 and August 2025, an estimated 931,000 children and adults were hospitalized due to flu, COVID-19, and RSV. The CDC classified last year's flu season as one of high severity, with up to 130,000 deaths. For COVID-19 during the same period, there were up to 4.8 million outpatient visits, up to 540,000 hospitalizations, and up to 63,000 deaths. Among adults aged 65 or older who were eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and hospitalized last season, 65% had not received the recommended vaccine.
The American Lung Association is encouraging everyone to receive vaccines recommended for this respiratory virus season, which typically peaks between October and March. The campaign will also provide updates on surveillance trends and projections for the severity of the 2025-2026 season. Additional resources include a new educational guide for people living with lung cancer and a webinar for those with chronic lung disease.
For more information on vaccines and resources, individuals can contact the Lung Association’s HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA or visit Lung.org/vaccines. The campaign is supported by Moderna.
