Respiratory Viruses
Annually, respiratory diseases such as influenza, COVID-19, and RSV present a substantial burden to the health of individuals across the United States. It is estimated that influenza results in 9.4 to 51 million illnesses, COVID-19 results in 3.8-12.4 million illnesses, and RSV results in 2.8-5.8 million outpatient visits (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2026). These illnesses lead to many hospitalizations and deaths each year. Vaccination is highly recommended as a safe and effective preventive measure.
Local health departments (LHD) play an important role in protecting communities from respiratory viruses. LHDs are on the frontlines in providing education and outreach, administering vaccinations, and coordinating resources to prepare for the threat of a pandemic respiratory emergency.
NACCHO is strengthening LHD capacity to control and prevent the spread of respiratory viruses by creating learning opportunities, providing technical support and resources, and facilitating peer exchange. In addition to the below resources, visit the NACCHO Toolbox to access more respiratory resources that have been shared with NACCHO by LHDs.
If you have any questions about immunization for respiratory viruses, email [email protected].
If you have any questions about infection control, email [email protected].
- Migration Health Initiative: Resource Library – Migration Health Initiative
Use the resources below to help prepare your team for an influenza response.
Below please find specific information from the most recent influenza season.
The following are some toolkits and messaging resources that may assist in communicating the importance of getting a flu vaccine.
For other NACCHO-recommended influenza resources, visit the links below.
For recommended RSV resources, visit the links below.
For recommended COVID-19 resources, visit the links below.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, NACCHO released a number of resources and hosted webinars to ensure local health departments had the most up to date information as developments happened. Below you can find an archive of webinars that were developed and released during the pandemic regarding COVID-19 vaccination.
Webinars:
- COVID-19 Vaccination Program Interim Playbook and Planning for Local Health Departments (September 24, 2020)
- The Impact of COVID-19 on School Re-Opening (October 1, 2020)
- Pediatric Vaccine Guidance (November 9, 2020)
- Vaccine Administration Planning: Drive-thru Clinics and Other Innovative Ideas (November 12, 2020)
- Technology Approaches to Managing COVID-19 Vaccines (December 17, 2020)
- Engaging Communities to Increase Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines (January 7, 2021)
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Training and Education (January 12, 2021)
- Understanding Diverse Communities to Support Equitable and Informed COVID-19 Vaccine Decision Making (January 21, 2021)
- Increasing Vaccination Coverage Among Racial and Ethnic Groups: Lessons Learned from CDC’s REACH Program (January 26, 2021)
- Important Information for Healthcare Providers about Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (January 28, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Stories from the Field: Local Health Department & Pharmacy Partnerships (February 25, 2021)
- Federal Snapshot: CDC Guidance: When You've Been Fully Vaccinated (March 16, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Stories from the Field: Local Health Department Practices to Facilitate Equitable Vaccine Distribution and Access (March 18, 2021)
- Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and API for Vaccine Appointment Availability (March 23, 2021)
- Global, Regional, and Local Approaches to COVID-19 Vaccine Equity: Sharing lessons for World Immunization Week (April 27, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Cases & Updated Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People (May 4, 2021)
- Community-Led COVID-19 Messaging that Supports Vaccine Confidence (May 11, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Text Messaging Strategies (June 8, 2021)
- CDC Federal Snapshot: Updated Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People (June 15, 2021)
- Building Vaccine Confidence for COVID-19 Vaccines in Adolescents (June 22, 2021)
- Improving Adolescent Vaccine Coverage – Situation Assessment, Insights, and Tools You Can Use (July 29, 2021)
- Cultural Contexts of Resilience and Vulnerability: Global Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic (September 2, 2021)
- Shots at the Shop: How Local Health Departments Can Increase COVID-19 Vaccinations by Supporting Barber Shops and Salons (September 23, 2021)
- Flu Season Preparedness and Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic (October 19, 2021)