CDC Announces Recommendation for RSV Vaccine in Older Adults

CDC Director Rochelle P Walensky, MD, MPH, announced her endorsement of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendations for use of both new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines from GSK and Pfizer for people aged 60 years and older, according to a recent CDC statement. The vaccines should be administered using shared clinical decision-making, meaning individuals can receive a single dose of the vaccine based on conversations with their health care provider about whether RSV vaccination is the best course of action for them.

CDC Director Rochelle P Walensky, MD, MPH, announced her endorsement of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendations for use of both new RSV vaccines. Image Credit: Adobe Stock - Tada Images

Adults who are at the highest risk for severe illness from RSV include adults with chronic heart or lung disease, adults with weakened immune systems, older adults, and adults living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, according to the statement. The CDC estimates that RSV causes approximately 60,000 to 160,000 hospitalizations and 6000 to 10,000 deaths among older adults every year.

These newly announced vaccines are expected to be available this fall and are the first vaccines licensed in the US to protect against RSV, the CDC writes in the statement. The CDC explains further that the vaccines will provide an opportunity to help protect older adults against severe RSV during a season where multiple respiratory infections are likely to circulate. Further, the CDC suggests in the statement that health care providers talk to their adult patients about any other vaccines they might need in the fall to help protect themselves against respiratory infections.

Reference

CDC. CDC recommends RSV vaccine for older adults. Published June 30, 2023. Accessed June 30, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/s0629-rsv.html