Your Asthma, Your Health: Making Informed Decisions About Vaccines (Recording)

This webinar was recorded on September 3, 2026

If you’re living with asthma, you already know the drill, avoid your triggers, keep your inhaler close, and hope that cold going around the office doesn’t find you. But here’s something that might surprise you: one of the most powerful tools in your asthma management toolkit isn’t an inhaler at all. It’s a vaccine.

Corinne Young, MSN, FNP-C, FCCP, a pulmonary nurse practitioner with nearly two decades of experience, puts it plainly: when it comes to viral infections, vaccines are often the only preventative measure we have for asthma patients. And that’s a big deal.

Your Airways Are Already Working Overtime

Think of asthmatic airways like a neighborhood that’s always on high alert. Because of chronic inflammation, the inner lining of your airways is easily disrupted, making you far more vulnerable to infections than someone without asthma. A simple case of the flu that leaves your coworker feeling “meh” for two days could land you in the ER.

That’s not meant to scare you; it’s meant to empower you.

The Vaccines That Actually Matter for You

So which vaccines should people with asthma prioritize? Corinne highlights several key ones:

• Flu shot — Reduces your risk of getting influenza by 40–60% and cuts hospitalization risk significantly
• Pneumonia vaccine — Recommended for anyone with chronic lung disease, even under age 50
• RSV vaccine — Newer but impressive, with up to an 85% reduction in RSV cases
• Whooping cough (Tdap) — An 89% effective rate? Yes, please
• COVID-19 vaccine — Especially important if you have underlying conditions
• MMR — Measles is making a comeback, and it’s no joke

“But I Got the Flu Shot and Still Got the Flu!”

Sound familiar? Here’s the thing, vaccines aren’t about guaranteeing you never get sick. They’re about making sure you don’t end up in the hospital or worse. As Corinne explains, the goal is preventing pneumonia, hospitalization, and death. If you got the flu but recovered at home on the couch with soup and Netflix? That vaccine did its job.

Navigating the Noise Online

We’ve all fallen down a social media rabbit hole at 11 p.m. reading something that sounds very convincing. Corinne’s advice? Look for green flags, trusted sources like the CDC, Mayo Clinic, or peer-reviewed publications. And when someone online says, “This is what doctors don’t want you to know,” that’s your cue to scroll right past.

The Bottom Line

Managing asthma is a team effort, and vaccines are a crucial part of that team. Talk openly with your provider about your concerns, your health history, and any barriers you’re facing. There’s no such thing as a dumb question, and there might even be options you haven’t considered, like a nasal spray instead of a shot.

Your lungs work hard for you every single day. Return the favor.

Speaker:
Corinne Young, MSN, FNP-C, FCCP

Corinne R. Young, MSN, FNP-C, FCCP, is a nationally recognized pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine nurse practitioner who has dedicated her career to advancing specialty education and professional development for Advanced Practice Providers (APPs). She has practiced in pulmonary medicine since 2005 and currently practices in Colorado Springs, where she leads clinical APP initiatives while maintaining an active clinical practice.

Key Learning Topics:

Why people with asthma face a higher risk of complications from vaccine-preventable illnesses like influenza, RSV, and pneumonia

Which vaccines are recommended for asthma patients and caregivers, and how to separate vaccine facts from common myths and misinformation

How to talk with your healthcare provider about vaccines and what questions to ask and how to access vaccination services in your community

A certificate of attendance will be available for all attendees.

No Continuing education credit will be available for this webinar.

GSK supported this education campaign.