U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it is launching a new campaign to increase the distribution of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccinations.
The campaign, called Risk Less, Do More, “aims to increase awareness of vaccines that reduce serious illness” from the viruses, a press release explains.
Risk Less, Do More is described as a “national, integrated effort to increase awareness of, confidence in, and uptake of vaccines that reduce severe illness from influenza (flu), COVID-19, and the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in at-risk populations,” the campaign’s page reads. It will also “prioritize reaching audiences at high risk from PRVs, including adults ages 60 and older and adults living in long-term care facilities (LTCF).”
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement that the vaccines have “helped to save millions of lives, keep countless people out of the hospital, and provided peace of mind for the country. As fall approaches and people spend more time indoors, I encourage everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting vaccinated.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to providing accessible and actionable health information for all U.S. residents, across age, geography, and race/ethnicity,” he added. “We will continue working every day to ensure the tools are available, and I hope everyone takes this opportunity to stay healthy.”
HHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Jeffery A. Nesbit explained that the campaign’s goal is to “increase confidence in vaccines that play an important role in preventing severe illness from these viruses and to provide the information that the American people need to make the decision to get vaccinated this fall and winter.”
The vaccination campaign will utilize media advertising through TV, radio, social media, and other platforms to “ensure all audiences have access to information from sources they trust.”
American Faith reported that Moderna’s COVID-flu combination vaccine saw “positive” results in a phase 3 trial, according to the vaccine developer.
According to Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel, combination vaccines may “improve compliance” with inoculation campaigns.
HHS has also provided Moderna with $176 million to develop an mRNA-based flu vaccine for “pandemic” preparation.
