The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) held the second in a series of Respiratory Season News Briefings on October 29, 2025, focused on the role of healthcare professionals in promoting vaccination against flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal disease. Hosted as part of the NFID “It’s On Us” campaign, the event explored how healthcare professionals can lead by example, empathetically engage patients, and help address vaccine hesitancy.
NFID Medical Director Robert (Bob) H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, moderated the panel discussion with experts including:
- Holly Carpenter, BSN, RN, Senior Policy Advisor, Nursing Practice and Work Environment Department and Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® program, American Nurses Association (ANA)
- Frederick Chen, MD, MPH, Chief Health and Science Officer, American Medical Association (AMA); former Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Services, Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine
- Brigid K. Groves, PharmD, MS, Vice President, Professional Affairs, American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
Special Guest: Todd Wolynn, MD, Trusted Messenger Program
Resources
NFID Leading By Example initiative (share your commitment to respiratory disease prevention)
American Nurses Association (ANA) Immunizations Position Statement (includes immunization of healthcare personnel and policy on exemptions)
American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Immunization Center (practice resources)
APhA Vaccine Confident (resources to address vaccine confidence and pharmacy location maps to find vaccines)