CDC Approves New Recommendations for RSV Vaccine in Adults

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved new recommendations during their recent meeting held on June 26-28, 2024, regarding the administration of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for adults.

According to the new recommendations, ACIP recommends that adults ages 75 years and older receive a single dose of RSV vaccine. It is a single-dose-per lifetime recommendation, so those who have already received a dose of RSV vaccine in the past are not recommended to receive an additional dose.

This new guidance for adults 75 and older supersedes the previous recommendation for adults 60 years and older to consider RSV vaccination based on shared clinical decision-making—i.e., the decision whether to vaccinate is made between a patient and their healthcare provider on a case-by-case basis after a discussing the potential benefits and risks for that individual.

The new guidance also specifies that adults ages of 60 to 74 who are not at an increased risk of severe RSV disease are not recommended to receive the vaccine.

Accordingly, for adults ages 60 to 74 and older who are considered to be at an increased risk for developing severe RSV disease, ACIP now recommends a single dose of RSV vaccine. The CDC offers clinical considerations, including chronic medical conditions and other risk factors associated with severe RSV disease, to support this risk-based recommendation.

“These risk factors include lung disease, heart disease, immune compromise, diabetes, obesity with a BMI of 40 or more, neurological conditions, neuromuscular conditions, chronic kidney disease, liver disorders and hematologic disorders,” Sandra Fryhofer, M.D., the American Medical Association’s liaison to ACIP, said in a recent AMA Update interview.

“Also, frailty, as well as living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility are considered risk factors for severe RSV disease,” she said.

Fryhofer said that the best time to get the RSV vaccine “is late summer to early fall, so think August through October.” She also confirmed that the RSV vaccine can be administered at the same time as other vaccines, including flu, COVID, pneumococcal, Tdap and shingles vaccines.

Currently, three RSV vaccines are available for adults: Arexvy (GSK), mRESVIA (Moderna), and Abrysvo (Pfizer).

These updated recommendations have been adopted by the CDC Director and align with the latest scientific evidence and expert consensus for RSV prevention strategies. The new guidelines ultimately aim to contribute to better health outcomes for older adults.