As cold and flu season approaches, LeadingAge is partnering with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on a national initiative to reduce severe illness from common respiratory viruses in at-risk populations—including older adults age 65+ and the people who care for them. 

Most deaths from influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are in people older than age 65, and the risk grows with age. Older adults suffer as many as eight out of 10 flu deaths in the U.S., and tens of thousands are hospitalized due to RSV infection each year. That’s why we’re providing members with the Risk Less. Do More. campaign’s research-backed messaging and materials—developed by HHS in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—to increase awareness of, confidence in, and uptake of vaccines.

Staying up to date with shots lowers the risk of getting sick with a respiratory infection, and we encourage members to check out the Risk Less. Do More. campaign information and use the member toolkit to help spread the word—and not the viruses! 

Last year, LeadingAge collaborated with HHS to award more than $270,000 in grant funding to members for vaccine clinics to help increase vaccine and booster uptake, as well as raise awareness in their communities about the importance of updated vaccines with HHS-provided We Can Do This campaign materials for outreach.

Throughout the fall and early 2025, you’ll see important public educational efforts from LeadingAge as we support the national campaign. Download the free handouts, social media graphics, and more today—together we can help inform and protect your community from the highly contagious respiratory viruses.

For more information on how LeadingAge continues to provide COVID and respiratory virus support for members, visit our Continued Fight Against COVID and Other Respiratory Viruses serial post at LeadingAge.org.