“No one knows your risk like you do” – WHO/Europe calls on individuals to integrate protection from respiratory viruses into everyday life

COVID-19, once an unprecedented global crisis, has now become a part of our daily lives alongside influenza and other respiratory viruses. It is essential to routinely protect ourselves and those around us.

On 9 October 2024, WHO/Europe is launching the "No one knows your risk like you do" campaign, encouraging people, especially the vulnerable, to assess their risks and take simple protective measures against respiratory viruses. While aimed at individuals, the campaign reiterates that health authorities play a key role in protecting their populations, including by continuing to provide timely health information and advice.

Public health advice on COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory viruses

This autumn and winter, as respiratory viruses co-circulate across European and central Asian countries, it is important to be aware of your risk and take steps to protect yourself and the most vulnerable.

Influenza and COVID-19 can affect everyone, but they can lead to severe illness in certain individuals, including older people, pregnant women, those with weakened immune systems and people with chronic conditions. If you belong to one of these groups, take extra care to stay protected.

Here are 5 simple actions you can take to reduce your risk of getting ill and developing severe disease:

• get vaccinated
• stay at home if sick
• wear a mask in crowds
• clean your hands
• ventilate your space.

Vaccination remains essential if you have never had COVID-19 or have not been vaccinated yet, especially if you are at higher risk. WHO/Europe advises getting the vaccine when it is offered to you. Wearing a mask in crowds is also still recommended, particularly if you belong to a group at higher risk of severe COVID-19, and to protect others around you.

For more information on how to stay protected from respiratory viruses, see the leaflet with all the details.

The concept behind WHO/Europe's campaign

The new WHO/Europe campaign is being launched at a pivotal moment, marking the long transition from COVID-19 as an acute emergency to an ongoing risk. Reflecting societal lessons, it broadens the focus to preventing respiratory diseases, making protection a normalized part of daily life.

"This year's campaign, 'No one knows your risk like you do', encourages individuals to assess their personal risks, fostering trust in their ability to make responsible choices for themselves and their community," says Cristiana Salvi, Regional Adviser for Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management (RCCE-IM) at WHO/Europe.

The campaign's call to action - Take care #LikeOnlyYouCan - encourages proactive health measures, promoting community solidarity and ownership. Targeted submessages for vulnerable groups remind them of their heightened risk and actions to protect themselves, while the hashtag #LikeOnlyYouCan emphasizes personal decision-making, linking empowerment with responsibility.

As part of the shared responsibility, the role of government authorities remains crucial. They must enable and empower individuals to make informed decisions that protect their health and that of the most vulnerable members of society.

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