Health experts anticipate another surge of respiratory viral infections this fall, particularly from the flu, the virus that causes COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). For the first time this fall, vaccines for all three viruses will be publicly available.

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the important role vaccines play in preventing serious—and sometimes deadly—diseases.

Vaccines are important because they protect people from diseases. Vaccines work by injecting a person with a “dead” or “modified” form of the virus.