On June 26, 2024, the CDC officially adopted its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP) new recommendation for RSV vaccination for adults aged 60 and older. The updated guidelines recommend that adults aged 60 to 74 years should receive a single dose of the RSV vaccine if they are at increased risk of severe RSV disease, such as those with chronic conditions like lung disease, or those living in nursing homes. ACIP also recommends that all adults aged 75 years and older should receive a single dose of the RSV vaccine. Individuals in both age and risk groups who have already received this vaccine do not need another dose, as it is currently recommended only once in a lifetime. The new recommendation supersedes the committee’s 2023 recommendation based on shared clinical decision-making (SCDM) for adults aged 60+, which required healthcare providers to discuss the potential benefits of receiving the vaccine with patients, taking into account the patients' characteristics, values, preferences, and the best available medical evidence. The challenges providers faced in implementing SCDM for RSV vaccination contributed to the decision to replace it with the current age- and risk-based recommendation. As RSV season approaches, it's important for pharmacists to stay updated on the latest vaccination recommendations. Through incorporating the new guidelines into practice, pharmacists can offer the best care and ensure their patients receive timely protection against RSV.
Resources
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ACIP Recommendations. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/recommendations.html.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. ACIP Adult RSV Work Group Clinical Considerations. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2024-06-26-28/12-RSV-Adult-Melgar-508.pdf.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult Immunization Schedule by Age. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/adult-age.html.
4. MedPage Today. ACIP Makes Changes to Adult RSV Vaccine Recommendations. Available from: https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/acip/110845.
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