Winter Is Coming: How Vaccines Help Protect Against Respiratory Illness

FRIDAY, Aug. 14, 2026 (HealthDay News) — August is National Immunization Awareness Month – the perfect time to prepare for the viruses and bacteria that spread each fall and winter. These germs can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to pneumonia. In some cases, they lead to hospitalization, and even death. If you’re one of the tens of millions of people living with chronic breathing conditions such as asthma or COPD, then you’re at much higher risk for severe illness from these infections. Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements in modern medicine. They help your immune system recognize viruses and bacteria before you are exposed to them. Most vaccines contain small, inactive amounts of a virus or bacteria, so they don’t cause the disease they prevent. Instead, they teach your body to make protective antibodies. If you are exposed later, your immune system can respond faster, making severe illness and hospitalization less likely, as well as fewer complications.No medical treatment works 100% of the time, but vaccines are highly effective for most people. You may never realize how much they helped because what felt like three days of feeling yucky could have been two weeks of fever, chills and coughing. Like any medicine, vaccines can cause side effects, but they also provide important benefits. When making decisions, it is important to compare the risks of vaccination with the risks of the infection itself.As with most things these days, there is a ton of misinformation and disinformation surrounding vaccines. Please discuss any concerns you may have with your allergist or primary care physician. They know your medical history, risk factors, medications and other essential information that can help guide your decision if you’re not sure whether you or your child should receive certain vaccines. Every fall, emergency department visits and hospitalizations spike because viruses often trigger asthma attacks. Although we do not have vaccines for every virus, we do have vaccines that protect against several of the most common and serious respiratory infections. Influenza (flu), RSV and COVID-19 can all cause severe illness, especially in people with chronic lung conditions. Vaccination helps reduce the risk of severe disease.The flu vaccine is updated every year because influenza viruses change often. COVID-19 vaccines are also updated as the virus evolves. Protection can decrease over time, so booster doses may be recommended. RSV vaccines are available for pregnant women to help protect their newborns. They are also recommended for adults ages 75 and older, and for certain adults ages 50 to 74 who are at increased risk for severe disease.Bacteria can also cause serious respiratory infections. Vaccines are available to protect against pneumococcal disease, a common cause of bacterial pneumonia, and pertussis (whooping cough). Pertussis can cause severe coughing that lasts for weeks or even months. I'll never forget when one of my co-residents broke a rib from coughing so hard when she got sick from pertussis. Imagine coughing all day and night for two to three months. That’s pertussis, and vaccination can help prevent illnesses like this.National Immunization Awareness Month is a great reminder to talk with your doctor about which vaccines you or your child may need before fall and winter begin. You can also visit www.acaai.org to learn more about asthma and other chronic lung conditions.About the expertDr. David Stukus, MD, is a professor of clinical pediatrics and the director of the Food Allergy Treatment Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Stukus is the current president-elect for the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. In addition, he is an associate editor for Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and previously served as an elected member of the executive committee for the section on allergy and immunology within the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Stukus has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed articles, two books (just finished writing his third) and a dozen book chapters. He is active on social media as @AllergyKidsDoc where he combats misinformation..What This Means For YouUsing your cellphone to keep a list of your vaccinations and when you received them may help you stay on top of important shots..Sign up for our weekly HealthDay newsletter

Winter Is Coming: How Vaccines Help Protect Against Respiratory Illness

Related Stories

Better Cardiovascular Health Inversely Linked to Overactive Bladder

Nearly 2 in 3 Poison Exposures in Young Children May Not Need the ED

Pets Can Carry Antibiotic-Resistant Germs

Tamiflu Helps Keep Severely Ill Kids Out Of The ICU, Study Finds