2025-2026 Respiratory Season News Briefings

As the 2025-2026 US respiratory season gets underway and immunization guidance continues to evolve, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases is launching a new Respiratory Season News Briefing Series to focus national attention on the importance of preventing and treating COVID-19, influenza (flu), pneumococcal disease, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

With the theme, It's On Us, the series aims to educate, engage, and empower the public and healthcare professionals to navigate these unprecedented times. Throughout the respiratory season, NFID will sponsor monthly news briefings featuring leading experts to provide clarity and guidance on the most pressing respiratory disease prevention and treatment issues.

The kickoff event focused on children and pregnant women, providing expert perspectives and personal stories that highlight:

• What parents need to know about protecting children from influenza, RSV, COVID-19, and pneumococcal disease
• How policy shifts and public health trends are impacting vaccine access and uptake
• Steps families can take to get vaccinated and stay protected this season

Alongside expert insights, the briefing included firsthand perspectives from families who have faced the realities of respiratory illness–sharing what they have learned to help bring the data and guidance to life.

NFID Medical Director Robert (Bob) H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, moderated a panel discussion with experts including:

• Sean T. O’Leary, MD, MPH, Chair, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Infectious Diseases; NFID Director
• Laura E. Riley, MD, Chair, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Immunization, Infectious Disease and Public Health Preparedness Expert Work Group
• Bruce G. Gellin, MD, MPH, Senior Advisor, Vaccine Integrity Project; Professor of Medicine (Adjunct), Georgetown University School of Medicine; Senior Advisor, Georgetown University Global Health Institute

Special Guests:

• Michele Stevenson and her son Kaden with Michele Slafkosky, Executive Director, Families Fighting Flu

Media requests should be directed to: NFID@apcoworldwide.com