HHS Respiratory Virus Vaccination Campaign: Risk Less. Do More 

Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 

Respiratory viruses like influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can lead to severe complications, hospitalizations, and even death, especially among adults ages 60 and older and those living in long-term care facilities. The campaign provides clear, evidence-based information about vaccinations for pan-respiratory viruses (PRVs) to increase vaccine confidence and encourage vaccination among at-risk groups.

HHS partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and national, state, and local organizations to spread the benefits of PRV vaccinations at the grassroots level. Select the links to resources (e.g. fact sheets to print or email on flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations; FAQs about vaccines; and suggested scripting for patient conversations, printable poster outlining key reasons to get vaccinated, videos, messaging, and digital advertisements optimized for social media) for healthcare providers and other priority audiences, including older adults, long-term care residents, health navigators, pregnant people, and healthcare professionals.

Medicare Part B covers:

Flu vaccine

COVID-19 vaccine

More Information:

CDC Respiratory Illnesses webpage

Vaccines.gov website

Annual Influenza Vaccination (PDF) and Chronic Condition Prevalence among Medicare Fee-For-Service Enrollees with COVID-19 (PDF) data snapshots: Learn about disparities in Medicare patients

Flu Shots, Medicare & Coronavirus, and RSV Shots: Get information for your patients

QIO Program: 2024-25 Respiratory Virus Season Resources for LTC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a variety of resources to support long-term care (LTC) facilities during the 2024-25 respiratory virus season: 

Toolkits, Education, and Guidance

• Immunization and Vaccine Product Summaries

• Risk Less, Do More Campaign from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Data Dashboards

• Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Billing and Payment Resources

• Billing Medicare for Respiratory Vaccines

• Overcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Payment Challenges Webinar Recording

Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Resources

• Weekly distribution of over-the-counter testing resources is available to LTC facilities. To be added to the distribution or to increase the weekly allocation, facilities can send a request via email to tdx@hhs.gov with the following information:

  • A copy of the facility's current CLIA waiver

  • Name and address of the facility

  • Facility type: Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing Home

  • Name, email, and phone number for the facility point of contact

  • Number of employees in the facility

  • Number of tests required per week

• Paxlovid access is available through December 2024 via PAXCESS.