The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) launched an initiative to streamline evidence-based information regarding respiratory disease prevention.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Unified Messaging Strategy: The initiative brings together leading public health and patient advocacy organizations to create a single public awareness campaign focused on respiratory disease risks and the value of immunization.
- Mitigating Public Confusion: The NRCI aims to streamline fragmented education efforts to help the public understand which vaccines are necessary, when to receive them, and where they are available.
- Focus on Major Pathogens: The collaborative effort targets prevention for several key respiratory threats, including influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumococcal disease.
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) has launched the National Respiratory Communications Initiative (NRCI) to streamline evidence-based information regarding respiratory infectious disease prevention.
Working in collaboration with the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM), Immunize.org, and Vaccinate Your Family, the initiative seeks to ensure that information regarding influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumococcal disease is clear and accessible for both the public and healthcare professionals.
“Immunization is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of serious respiratory illness,” said Rebecca Alvania, PhD MA MPH, NFID chief executive officer, in a news release. “Yet many people remain confused about which vaccines they need, when to get them, and where to go, and fragmented public education efforts can make it hard for trusted information to break through.”
The NRCI brings together immunization, infectious disease, and patient advocacy organizations to make prevention guidance easier to find and understand. At the center of the initiative is a unified public awareness campaign communicating the risks of respiratory diseases and the benefits of immunization.
According to the NFID, partners in the coalition will align around shared messages and key moments, then amplify the campaign to their own stakeholders through trusted voices and channels. This strategy is designed to create greater visibility and impact than any single organization could achieve alone.
Additional details regarding the NRCI will be shared during the NFID Annual Respiratory Season Kick-Off on Sept 24, 2026, in Washington, DC.
