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Talking with Patients About Respiratory Virus Season

Key points

  • Health care providers are the most trusted source of health information for their patients.
  • Immunization, timely testing, and treatment against influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains the best way to protect patients against severe disease.

Why talk about it

Many people have questions about flu, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations. As patients' most trusted source of health information, health care providers play a critical role in helping them understand the importance of immunizations and that immunizations are safe and effective.

Watch the video below about recommending immunizations to your patients this fall and winter virus season.

Immunization Recommendations for the Fall and Winter Virus Season - YouTube

Preparing for the conversation

Review immunization history and recommendations based on age, underlying medical conditions, and other risk factors. View immunization schedules for children and adults.

Assess whether the patient has risk factors that place them at higher risk for severe flu and COVID-19 and should therefore receive prescription antiviral medications if they become ill.

Keep Reading: Best Practices for Patient Care

Conversation strategies

These CDC tools provide information to help you have an effective conversation with your patients.

Starting the conversation

While seeing the patient

Counsel the patient or caregiver that immunizations are the best way to protect themselves or their children against severe disease, hospitalization, and death from flu, COVID-19, and RSV this season. COVID-19 vaccine is also the best way to protect themselves from getting Long COVID.

Recommend and offer immunizations to patients or caregivers or refer them to where they can get vaccines. Let patients and caregivers know they may need immunizations during their next visit.

If a patient is at high risk for severe COVID-19 or influenza due to age or underlying conditions, explain the importance of testing and starting antiviral treatment as early as possible after symptom onset.

Explain how to use the other prevention tools and how these tools can help them and their families stay safe this season. These tools include:

  • Testing
  • Well-fitted masks
  • Physical distancing
  • Washing hands
  • Improving airflow or ventilation where the patient lives and works

Resources to share

Vaccine or immunization information sheets

Communication resources

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Content Source:
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)