The Department of Public Health said Friday it will launch an awareness campaign to urge vaccination this fall to address the expected rise of flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus.

The "Tis the Sneezin’" campaign will include advertisements on cable, broadcast and streaming channels, as well as on radio, billboards and bus shelters. Advertisements will be in both English and Spanish.

“IDPH is continuing to work closely with local, state and federal partners to monitor the three respiratory viruses that caused last fall and winter’s tripledemic,” agency Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement. “We encourage all Illinois residents to do the same to prevent illness and protect yourself and your loved ones.”

The announcement comes as the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that no counties in Illinois are at an elevated level for COVID-19 hospitalizations, down from six the prior week.

IDPH noted that COVID-19 hospitalizations have been trending downward in recent weeks, with 503 hospitalizations for the week ending Oct. 14 — an 8 percent drop from the prior week.

 More than 170,000 courses of therapeutic medications remain available free of charge through providers and pharmacies until supplies run out.

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