In an effort to combat the spread of respiratory illnesses in North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is taking a bilingual approach to public health outreach. As reported by NCDHHS, they will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall titled "Simple Steps, Big Protection: Protect Against Respiratory Illnesses" tomorrow, Jan. 27, from 6 to 7 p.m. This event aims to disseminate crucial information on how Hispanic and Latino communities can safeguard themselves against flu, COVID-19, and RSV.
The discussion, in partnership with LATIN-19 and Duke Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, will include professionals like Francisco Guzman, from NCDHHS, Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, MD from Duke, and Dulce Ortiz of the North Carolina Community Health Worker Association. Together, they will provide actionable guidance on protection from respiratory illnesses, vaccine recommendations, and accessing health services in Spanish. A significant focal point will be the impact of these illnesses on the Hispanic and Latino communities, per NCDHHS.
Respiratory illnesses, noted as significant contributors to hospitalizations and deaths in North Carolina, have accounted for 181 flu-related fatalities, including five in pediatric cases, according to the NC Respiratory Virus Surveillance Dashboard. In light of this, national medical organizations have been advising flu, COVID-19, and, when available, RSV vaccinations as key preventative measures.
Accessible for individuals aged 6 months and older, flu and COVID-19 vaccines are crucial in mitigating severe illness risks. RSV vaccines also stand available for specific groups, including older adults and pregnant women, and potentially younger children under age 2. "Washing your hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning common surfaces like doorknobs," and other simple steps are encouraged by the NCDHHS to prevent the spread of germs. Testing and early treatment are crucial, they note, to limit more severe outcomes. Keeping these health measures in mind, the public is invited to tune in via NCDHHS Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube accounts or join by phone to ask questions and connect with resources, as stated by NCDHHS.
Resources, including a bilingual Respiratory Illness Communications Toolkit for the 2025–2026 respiratory virus season, are available through the NCDHHS website. To further assist, the NCDHHS' Vaccines for Seasonal Respiratory Illnesses page provides details in Spanish about vaccine eligibility and locating a Spanish-speaking healthcare provider. For uninsured or underinsured individuals, information on vaccine financial support, covering low or no-cost options, is also provided.
