As we say at this time of year, Tis the Season! Tis the season for flu, pneumonia, RSV and COVID-19. Don’t let these illnesses ruin your end-of-year holidays and celebrations. The good news is vaccines help reduce the risk of severe illness, particularly for older adults who are at greater risk for complications and reduce the odds of hospitalization from a respiratory infection. Immunization rates went down during the pandemic when many people missed routine care. For certain vaccines, progress is being made to get people back on track, but immunization uptake for other vaccines continues to lag. IQVIA tracks this information and has provided the latest trend analysis:

• COVID-19 immunization rates this fall were higher than they were last year at this time.
• But vaccination against influenza, a disease that sickens tens of millions of people in the U.IS. each year, has declined every year since 2021.
• We also see stubborn disparities, with lower immunization rates among black and Hispanic individuals

Two experts in the field join us to explain the safety of vaccines, their development, testing and surveillance, as well as the advisability of getting your vaccines NOW before you travel and gather for the Holidays.

Nandini Selvam, PhD, Vice President and General Manager of IQVIA Government Solutions, and Michelle Fiscus, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Association of Immunization Managers (AIM).