On June 26, CDC updated its recommendations for the use of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines in people aged 60 and older for the upcoming respiratory virus season. The new guidelines are:
- Everyone aged 75 and older should receive the RSV vaccine.
- People aged 60–74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV due to certain chronic medical conditions (e.g., lung or heart disease) or those living in nursing homes should receive the RSV vaccine.
- This updated recommendation applies to adults who did not get an RSV vaccine last year. The RSV vaccine is not an annual vaccine, so individuals do not need a dose every RSV season. However, the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall before RSV typically starts to spread. The updated recommendation aims to simplify RSV vaccine decision-making for clinicians and the public, replacing the previous guidance from last year. The revision is based on analyses of RSV disease burden, vaccine effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness, incorporating the first real-world data since RSV vaccines were recommended for people aged 60 and older. According to the CDC, healthcare providers should advise eligible patients to get the RSV vaccine and discuss other necessary vaccines to prevent respiratory infections this fall. Read more here.