Staying ahead of preventable illnesses is crucial for maintaining good health and well-being. Fortunately, vaccines offer powerful protection against a range of diseases, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides up-to-date guidance to help you stay immunized. Below are a few vaccines the CDC recommends for healthcare professionals.
Recommendations for Use of Pneumococcal Vaccines in Adults
Pneumococcal infections are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), a gram-positive, facultative anaerobic bacterium. Pneumococcus can colonize the upper respiratory tract, most commonly in young children, and is transmitted to others through contact with respiratory droplets from a person with pneumococcal colonization in the upper respiratory tract.
Adults Who Previously Have Not Received Any Pneumococcal Vaccine
Adults aged ≥65 years who previously have not received a pneumococcal vaccine, or whose previous vaccination history is unknown, should receive a single dose of PCV20 or PCV15.
Adults Who Previously Have Received PPSV23 Only
Adults who have received PPSV23 only, including those who received PPSV23 only on the basis of previous pneumococcal vaccine recommendations or those who received PPSV23 before receiving a dose of PCV15 in the PCV15-PPSV23 series, should receive a single dose of either PCV20 or PCV15 ≥1 year after the last PPSV23 dose.
Coadministration with Other Vaccines
Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization, routine administration of a pneumococcal vaccine with other age-appropriate doses of vaccines at the same visit is recommended for adults who have no specific contraindications at the time of the health care visit (210). For example, coadministration with a COVID-19 vaccine can be administered at a different anatomic site during the same visit.
Recommendations for Use of RSV Vaccines in Older Adults
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a cause of severe respiratory illness in older adults. In May 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first vaccines for prevention of RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in adults aged ≥60 years. RSV vaccination is currently approved and recommended for administration as a single dose. Optimally, vaccination should occur before the onset of the RSV season.
Vaccine Administration, Including Coadministration with Other Vaccines
Coadministration of RSV vaccines with other adult vaccines during the same visit is acceptable.
Seasonal Influenza Vaccines: Recommendations
Influenza viruses typically circulate annually in the United States, most commonly from the late fall through the early spring. Most people who become ill after influenza virus infection recover without serious complications or sequelae. However, influenza can be associated with serious illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths, particularly among older adults, very young children, pregnant persons, and persons of all ages with certain chronic medical conditions.
Routine annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications. Vaccination during July and August is not recommended for most groups.
Timing considerations include. For most adults (particularly those aged ≥65 years) and pregnant persons in the first or second trimester, vaccination during July and August should be avoided unless there is concern that later vaccination might not be possible.
Administration of Influenza Vaccines with Other Vaccines
Influenza Vaccine may be administered concurrently or sequentially with other live or inactivated vaccines. For most persons who need only one dose of influenza vaccine for the season, vaccination should ideally be offered during September or October.
Recommendations for the Use of COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older in the United States for the prevention of COVID-19. There is currently no FDA-approved or FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than age 6 months. CDC recommends that people stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination.
There is no preferential recommendation for the use of any one COVID-19 vaccine over another when more than one recommended and age-appropriate vaccine is available.
- Unvaccinated: 1 dose of an updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
- Previously received 1 or more Original monovalent or bivalent mRNA vaccine doses: 1 dose of any updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine
- Previously received 1 or more doses of Original monovalent Novavax vaccine, alone or in combination with any Original monovalent or bivalent mRNA vaccine doses: 1 dose of any updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine
- Previously received 1 or more doses of Janssen vaccine, alone or in combination with any Original monovalent or bivalent mRNA vaccine or Original monovalent Novavax doses: 1 dose of any updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine
For all vaccinations, the decision to vaccinate should be based on a discussion between the health care provider and the patient, which might be guided by the patient’s risk for disease and their characteristics, values, and preferences; the provider’s clinical discretion; and the characteristics of the vaccine. Vaccines are contraindicated for and should not be administered to persons with a history of severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, to any component of the vaccine.
For more information visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/index.html