U.S. health officials have updated their recommendations for the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine, now strongly endorsing it for people aged 75 and above. The FDA has licensed single-dose RSV vaccines from GSK, Pfizer, and Moderna for older adults.
RSV is a common cause of cold-like symptoms but can be dangerous for infants and the elderly. People in this age group are at higher risk for severe RSV cases due to conditions such as chronic heart disease, advanced-stage kidney disease, chronic lung illnesses, and severe obesity.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted that people 75 and older should receive the vaccine without hesitation. For those aged 60 to 74, the committee recommended vaccination only if they have underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk for severe RSV illness.
The panel also declined to endorse giving the GSK vaccine to people in their 50s, despite the FDA's recent licensing of it for that age group. The newly approved Moderna RSV shot will follow the same guidelines.
Despite some concerns about Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) cases among RSV vaccine recipients, particularly those who received the Pfizer shot, panel members agreed that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. However, they remain concerned about ongoing research into GBS and its potential link to RSV vaccines.
The CDC's updated recommendations aim to provide clearer guidance for healthcare providers and encourage more older Americans to get vaccinated against RSV.
