Dr. Emily Kryger, owner of PharmRecs LLC and a board certified geriatric pharmacist, discusses the impact that respiratory diseases have had on the population she cares for — and how vaccines have helped protect against severe illness.
Paola German, a family nurse practitioner at the UCI Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, discussed how respiratory illnesses can quickly turn from mild to serious without the help of vaccines.
FAQ: Respiratory Vaccine Appointments for Patients 50+
Respiratory season is here, and depending on your age and health status, it may be recommended for you to get vaccinations for flu, COVID-19, RSV, or pneumococcal infection. The below FAQ can serve as a starting place as you make your vaccine appointments and take steps to stay healthy.
Last Updated10/17/2025
FAQ: Respiratory Vaccine Appointments for Patients 50+
Coverage, Access, and ACIP Recommendations: What Consumers Should Know about Respiratory Vaccines Heading into Fall
Last Updated10/15/2025
Recent changes to recommendations for respiratory vaccines have left patients and providers with pressing questions about vaccine access and coverage. Following its most recent meeting in September, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended COVID-19 vaccines for those 6 months and older based on “individual decision-making.” This change in recommendation illuminated the need for stakeholders to have clarity on the impact of ACIP recommendations on respiratory vaccine insurance coverage.
CVEEP hosted a timely discussion on this topic as experts in healthcare coverage, public health, and vaccine policy broke down the relationship between ACIP recommendations and coverage among different types of insurance plans, what to expect at your vaccination appointments this year, and how to advocate for yourself as a patient seeking fall vaccines.
Panelists included:
Chris Regal, MS, Director of Clinical Innovation, AHIP
Margot Savoy, MD, MPH,Chief Medical Officer, American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
Allison Hill, PharmD, RPh, Director of Professional Affairs, American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
Moderator: Serese Marotta, Deputy CEO, Vaccinate Your Family
Your Fall Vaccine Visit: What to Expect and How to Prepare
During respiratory season, recommended vaccines are especially important, particularly among individuals aged 50 and older, to protect against serious illness caused by respiratory diseases such as flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal disease, and RSV. Getting vaccinated this fall is one of the simplest ways to stay healthy and protect the people around you.
Last Updated10/14/2025
Your Fall Vaccine Visit: What to Expect and How to Prepare
National Immunization Awareness Month: What to Know About Vaccines for a Healthier Fall & Winter
Last Updated08/27/2025
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), a time for us to recognize the critical role vaccination plays in helping prevent serious illness from infectious respiratory diseases. This annual observance highlights the importance of staying up to date with vaccines at all ages, especially as we approach the fall and winter respiratory season.
CVEEP hosted an expert-led discussion on the recent shifts to the federal vaccine landscape, what experts are anticipating ahead of the 2025/2026 respiratory season, and the potential impact of these changes on access and uptake this fall. Providers and public health experts explained the importance of staying up to date on vaccinations for infectious respiratory diseases and broke down the latest vaccine recommendations and guidance — offering insights into which vaccines are needed to stay protected throughout the fall and winter.
Panelists included:
Dr. Jen Brull, President, American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
Dr. William Schaffner, Spokesperson, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID)
Moderator:Karyne Jones, President and CEO, NCBA, Inc.
COVID-19 | Older Adult
Posters: Stay Updated
50+? You are at increased risk from COVID-19 this summer. Getting the vaccine now could help stop sickness from spoiling your summer plans.
Respiratory viruses like flu or RSV tend to spread more in the fall and winter when colder weather and indoor gatherings make transmission easier. But COVID-19 works differently. While fall and winter surges are common, increases in cases have also happened in the spring and summer.
Summer is packed with activities we love. Don’t let COVID-19 interrupt your plans. Vaccination is a simple and effective way to protect yourself from severe respiratory illness, helping you to continue doing the things you love.
Seasonal Spike: What to Do If You Get COVID-19 This Summer
Last Updated05/29/2025
As public health experts anticipate a rise in COVID-19 infections this summer, ensuring access to antiviral treatments for older adults and those with existing health conditions that make them vulnerable to serious illness is more important than ever.
CVEEP held a briefing featuring leading healthcare voices for an in-depth discussion on the current treatment landscape, highlighting the essential role antivirals play in preventing severe illness and hospitalization. The conversation explored key barriers to access, including under-prescription, cost, and insurance coverage, as well as strategies to raise awareness, improve uptake, and ensure that vulnerable populations can receive these life-saving treatments without delay.
Panelists included:
Dr. Amesh Adalja, Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security
Dr. Chad Worz, PharmD, CEO, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)
