Fall will officially arrive on September 22, heralding the beginning of the conference and trade show season. As the business travel season begins and people start to gather in large numbers indoors, the risk of getting infected with influenza (flu), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) increases. So what’s a trade show attendee to do?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a new national campaign to inform the public about common respiratory viruses and available vaccines. The campaign, aptly titled Risk Less. Do More., aims to increase awareness of vaccines that reduce serious illness from the flu, COVID-19 and RSV in high-risk populations, and to limit the spread of these viruses among all Americans, according to HHS.

During a 6-month period last fall and winter, infections of flu, COVID-19 and RSV caused 800,000 hospitalizations, according to the HHS. Without immunization, adults aged 65 years and older, residents of long-term care facilities, pregnant people and those living in rural areas remain at higher risk of contracting serious respiratory illness. The HHS noted that some racial and ethnic groups, including Black and Hispanic populations in the United States, are also at higher risk.

"Vaccines for COVID-19 and RSV have helped to save millions of lives, keep countless people out of the hospital and provide peace of mind for the country,” said HHS secretary Xavier Becerra. “As fall approaches and people spend more time indoors, I encourage everyone who is eligible to get their vaccines to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced that cases of respiratory illness causing people to seek health care is low in the U.S. However, the CDC added that COVID-19 activity remains elevated nationally, despite signs of decline in many areas.

"Respiratory illness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV viruses usually surge during colder weather and can cause severe disease, hospitalization and even death," said HHS assistant secretary for public affairs Jeffery A Nesbit. "The goal of the Risk Less. Do More. campaign is to increase confidence in vaccines that play an important role in preventing severe illness from these viruses and to provide the information that the American people need to make the decision to get vaccinated this fall and winter."

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2024-2025 Respiratory Disease Season Outlook

The CDC noted that trips to the emergency room are down for cases of COVID-19, however, visits for RSV and flu are on the rise. Experts predict that the upcoming fall and winter virus season will see similar or lower peak hospitalizations from COVID-19, the flu and RSV compared with last year. However, the CDC noted that hospitalizations from all respiratory viruses remain likely to be substantially higher than they were before the emergence of COVID-19. The CDC is also predicting that the peak hospitalization rate due to influenza will be similar to or lower than that of the 2023-2024 season rate of 8.9 weekly laboratory-confirmed hospitalizations per 100,000 people.

The CDC added that COVID-19 activity this fall and winter will be dependent on the progression of the ongoing summer COVID-19 wave, noting that Influenza and RSV seasons generally begin in October, but can vary in timing and burden.

A lower than projected uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine, influenza seasonal vaccine or RSV vaccines and immunizations, may significantly alter these projections.

   
  Reduce Your Risk With These Tips

 
The CDC offers several helpful tips to reduce the risk of contracting respiratory illness when traveling. These practices will help reduce the spread of illness and control outbreaks.

  • Pay attention to announcements from the local government in your travel destination and monitor the local health and security situation.

  • Follow any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and running water, especially after coughing or sneezing.

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and put the used tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.

  • Wear a mask if you are ill or in a region with higher levels of illness.

  • Avoid close contact with sick people.