Updates for Parents on Flu and Covid Season

As respiratory illness season begins, families are facing shifting immunization guidance and a flood of information. To help provide clarity, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is launching a new Respiratory Season News Briefing Series. These monthly virtual briefings will bring together leading experts and real-life voices to address the most pressing respiratory health issues. The first briefing is of interest to parents and pregnant women and focuses on how to prevent and treat COVID-19, influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumococcal disease.

First Briefing: Protecting Children and Pregnant Women

Date & Time: October 1, 2025 | 10:00–11:00 AM ET
Format: Expert panel discussion followed by media Q&A

This first session will highlight what parents need to know this season about protecting children and pregnant women from COVID-19, influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumococcal disease. Discussion topics include:

How recent policy changes are shaping vaccine access and uptake
Practical steps families can take to stay protected this fall and winter
Personal stories that illustrate the real-world impact of vaccine-preventable illnesses

Featured Speakers

Moderator

Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD – NFID Medical Director; Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Panelists

Sean T. O’Leary, MD, MPH – Chair, AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases; NFID Director
Laura E. Riley, MD – Chair, ACOG Immunization & Public Health Preparedness Work Group
Bruce G. Gellin, MD, MPH – Senior Advisor, Vaccine Integrity Project; Professor of Medicine (Adjunct), Georgetown University

Special Guests

Heather Simpson – Former anti-vaccine advocate turned pro-vaccine influencer, host of the Back to the Vaxpodcast
Michele Stevenson and her son Kaden – Sharing their personal story of severe flu complications
Michele Slafkosky – Executive Director, Families Fighting Flu

Registration

This event is free and open to the public. Please register on the NFID event page to attend. Additional materials, including panelist bios and resources, will also be available.