Media Tip Sheet: Stay Ahead of Respiratory Virus Season: Experts Urge Updated Vaccines as COVID, Flu, and RSV Rise


October 15, 2025

As the weather cools and respiratory virus season ramps up, health officials are urging Americans to take proactive steps to avoid serious illness from COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

According to new guidance from the CDC, this year’s virus season is expected to cause a similar number of hospitalizations as last year — but updated vaccines can make a significant difference.

Faculty experts at the George Washington University are available to offer insight. To schedule an interview with an expert, please contact Katelyn Deckelbaum at katelyn [dot] deckelbaumatgwu [dot] edu (katelyn[dot]deckelbaum[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Elizabeth Choma is a pediatric nurse practitioner and clinical assistant professor at the George Washington University School of Nursing.

April Barbour is an internist with the GW Medical Faculty Associates and an associate professor of medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Charles Baron is a primary care provider and assistant professor of medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the GW Medical Faculty Associates and GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Elizabeth Bluhm is an internist at the GW Medical Faculty Associates and an assistant professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Adam Singleton is a clinical assistant professor of Surgery in the Ear, Nose, & Throat Center within the GW Medical Faculty Associates.

Anne Monroe is an associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology at GW.

-GW-