Know the viruses.
Know your risk.
Flu, COVID-19, and RSV can affect everyone differently. Learn about these seasonal respiratory viruses, including who's at risk and more likely to become seriously ill, and how vaccination can help protect against severe disease.
FLU
The Flu Is More Than “Just the Flu.”
Adults 65 years of age and older, young children, pregnant people, and people with certain chronic health conditions are more likely to develop serious complications from the flu. As we age, our immune systems naturally become less effective at fighting infection, making protection even more important.
In recent years, 50% to 70% of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occurred among adults aged 65 and older.
Why Vaccination Matters
For many people, the flu means a few days of feeling miserable. But for older adults and people with certain health conditions, it can lead to serious complications like pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death. Every flu season is different, which is why annual vaccination continues to be recommended.
COVID-19
COVID-19 Is Still Here. And It's Still a Risk.
COVID-19 can still cause serious illness—especially for older adults, young children, and people with certain health conditions. As the virus continues to change, it's important to understand your risk and how to help protect yourself.
Who's at Higher Risk?
As we age, our immune systems can become less effective at fighting infection, making adults 65 and older more likely to experience severe illness, hospitalization, and complications from COVID-19. That’s why the CDC continues to recommend updated COVID-19 vaccination for older adults.
Older adults are at highest risk of getting seriously sick from COVID-19. More than 81% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people aged 65 and older.
Who's at Higher Risk?
Children and teens can get seriously sick from COVID-19, especially those with underlying medical conditions. Parents of children 6 months to 17 years of age should discuss the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination with a healthcare provider.
COVID-19 led to approximately 38,000 hospitalizations among US children and teens under age 18 between September 2023 and August 2024.
RSV
RSV Can Be Serious for Older Adults.
Many people think of RSV as a virus that mainly affects children. But RSV can also cause serious respiratory illness in older adults and people with certain medical conditions. In fact, RSV is often underrecognized in adults, even though it can cause pneumonia and may lead to hospitalization or death.
Who's at Higher Risk?
The risk of severe RSV increases with age, particularly for adults aged 75 and older, and for people 50-74 with certain medical conditions.
Adults 65 years of age and older were 15 times more likely to be hospitalized with RSV than adults ages 18 to 49.
Why Vaccination Matters
RSV can have lasting effects beyond the initial illness, especially for older adults. Vaccination can help protect those at increased risk from severe RSV disease and hospitalization.
CDC = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; RSV = respiratory syncytial virus.
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