Prepare for respiratory virus season by getting vaccinated

Prepare for respiratory virus season by getting vaccinated | The River Reporter
Skip to main content
Log in
Subscribe
My view

Prepare for respiratory virus season by getting vaccinated

By the PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS
Posted 7/28/26

As Pennsylvania prepares for the annual respiratory virus season, the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP) is urging residents to protect themselves, their families and their communities …

Stay informed about your community and support local independent journalism

This item is available in full to subscribers

My view

Prepare for respiratory virus season by getting vaccinated

Photo by CDC on Unsplash
Posted
Tuesday,July 28, 202611:14 am
By the PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS

As Pennsylvania prepares for the annual respiratory virus season, the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP) is urging residents to protect themselves, their families and their communities by staying up to date on recommended vaccinations against influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases

“Every year we see a seasonal rise in illnesses like influenza, COVID-19, RSV and other respiratory infections,” said Andrew Lutzkanin, MD, president of the PAFP. “These viruses spread easily and can lead to serious complications, particularly for young children, older adults, pregnant patients and people living with chronic health conditions.”

Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death. Vaccines also help protect those who are most vulnerable, including infants who are too young to receive certain vaccines, older adults, people with weakened immune systems and individuals with underlying medical conditions

Vaccination rates have declined in recent years, contributing to the reemergence of diseases once considered largely under control. According to recent Pennsylvania immunization data:

The Pennsylvania Department of Health had confirmed 101 measles cases statewide as of July

Approximately 92 percent of Pennsylvania kindergarteners received the recommended MMR, polio and DTaP vaccines during the 2024-2025 school year, down from the approximately 95 percent vaccination rate achieved before the COVID-19 pandemic and below the level generally needed for community protection against measles

Pennsylvania reported 6,097 non-medical vaccine exemptions among kindergarten students during the 2024-2025 school year, with the state’s exemption rate exceeding the national median

Reporting by the Pulitzer Center found that nearly 40,000 Pennsylvania students are either not fully vaccinated for measles or lack the required exemptions. Approximately one in four elementary schools statewide has vaccination coverage below the level needed to prevent measles outbreaks.

“Measles is not simply a childhood rash,” Dr. Lutzkanin said. “It is one of the most contagious viruses we know and can cause pneumonia, encephalitis, lifelong disability and in rare cases, death. When vaccination rates fall, preventable diseases spread more easily.”

Family physicians serve as the front line of preventive care throughout Pennsylvania, particularly in rural and medically underserved communities where a family physician may be a patient’s primary connection to the health care system

“Family physicians know their patients’ medical histories, understand their concerns, and are trained to provide personalized recommendations,” Dr. Lutzkanin said. “These conversations happen every day in our exam rooms. Vaccination is preventive care—just like controlling blood pressure, wearing a seatbelt, or receiving recommended cancer screenings. It doesn’t eliminate every risk, but it dramatically improves the odds of staying healthy.”

The PAFP encourages all Pennsylvanians to speak with their family physician about recommended vaccines before the peak of respiratory virus season

“I know some Pennsylvanians have questions about vaccines,” Dr. Lutzkanin said. “If you’re unsure, talk with your family physician. Ask what a vaccine does, how it works, and how it fits into your overall health. Our role is to provide honest, evidence-based information so patients can make informed decisions for themselves and their families

“Our patients all want the same thing—to stay healthy, avoid the hospital, and protect the people they love,” Dr. Lutzkanin concluded. “Vaccination is one of the simplest and most effective ways to accomplish that.”

The PA Academy of Family Physicians is a network of MD and DO physicians, residents and students who are passionate about family medicine. With 5,500-plus members, it is the largest community of family physicians in the state. Learn more at https://www.pafp.com/