The holiday season is upon us, and for many Americans, that means company parties, get-togethers with friends and of course, gathering with extended family.

These fall and winter festivities are joyous. But they also inherently expose us to infectious seasonal illnesses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19.

As vaccination rates decline nationally, that risk is greater this year than any in recent memory. That's why, now more than ever, Americans must make informed choices to keep themselves and their families healthy.

I speak not only as a physician and former U.S. surgeon general, but as a father and husband. My wife is a multiple-time cancer survivor and was especially vulnerable while she underwent treatment. My children are constantly exposed to illness at

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