Starting earlier this month, FDA-approved Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine supply became available to older adults. Vaccine rollout is in its early stages, and major chain pharmacies are wasting no time. Walgreens is already offering the vaccine, as is Publix (though they ask for patients to call their local Publix pharmacy to verify the vaccine is available at that location). Kroger, CVS, and Rite Aid are working to secure supply for the near future. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has stated that adults over 65, through a shared clinical decision-making process, may elect to receive the RSV vaccine. In other words, the choice is highly individualized. No “one size fits all” recommendation has been made.
In other vaccine news, the CDC has stated that it has contacted COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to encourage production of updated monovalent XBB 1.5 composition vaccines. These updated vaccines will, according to the evidence CDC recently reviewed, offer the best protection against variants of the COVID-19 virus likely to appear through 2024. CDC expects these updated vaccines to arrive sometime this fall. At this time, there are no updates to current COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.
Sources:
(https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/01/walgreens-is-now-offering-rsv-vaccines-for-older-adults.html)
(https://www.waaytv.com/news/states-gear-up-for-this-fall-s-triple-threat-of-respiratory-viruses-covid-19-flu/article_cf8789c7-af22-561d-966d-ebdba931736a.html)
(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html)
(https://www.fda.gov/media/169591/download?attachment)