Federal health officials have updated their recommendations for who should receive the vaccine against the respiratory syncytial virus (R.S.V). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously suggested that adults aged 60 or older could get a single lifetime dose of an R.S.V. vaccine in consultation with their healthcare providers.
However, scientific advisers to the agency have now changed this guideline. They have unanimously recommended that all Americans aged 75 and older should receive one dose of an R.S.V. vaccine. For adults between the ages of 60 to 74, the panel only recommended vaccination for those with specific serious health conditions such as chronic heart or lung disease, advanced kidney disease, and diabetes with organ damage. The advisers decided against recommending the vaccine for other adults in this age group, although individuals can still discuss their risk with their healthcare providers.
The three R.S.V. vaccines approved by the F.D.A. are Pfizer’s Abrysvo, GSK’s Arexvy, and Moderna’s mRESVIA. The new criteria may actually make more people eligible to receive the vaccine, as some high-risk individuals, like older Black Americans, may not have easy access to healthcare providers who can assess their risk factors.
This change in recommendations aims to ensure that those most vulnerable to severe complications from R.S.V. receive the necessary protection. It highlights the importance of consulting with healthcare professionals to determine the best course of action based on individual health conditions and risk factors. Vaccination remains a crucial tool in preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses like R.S.V. and protecting public health.
