The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its vaccination recommendations, focusing on respiratory viruses. On June 26, the CDC recommended that individuals aged 75 and older should receive the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine. Individuals aged 60 to 74 with certain chronic medical conditions or who reside in nursing homes should also be vaccinated against RSV.
This recommendation is for adults who did not get an RSV vaccine last year, as it is not currently an annual vaccine. Eligible adults can get an RSV vaccine at any time, but according to the CDC, the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall before RSV usually starts to spread in communities.
“The CDC has updated its RSV vaccination recommendation for older adults to prioritize those at highest risk for serious illness from RSV,” said Mandy Cohen, M.D., M.P.H. “People 75 or older, or between 60–74 with certain chronic health conditions or living in a nursing home should get one dose of the RSV vaccine to provide an extra layer of protection.”
On June 27, the CDC recommended the updated 2024–2025 COVID-19 and flu vaccines for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. It advises everyone aged 6 months and older to receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine, irrespective of prior vaccination status, to mitigate severe outcomes. Updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer are expected later this year.
Similarly, the CDC recommends an updated 2024–2025 flu vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and older (with rare exceptions), emphasizing protection against influenza and its complications. The 2024–2025 flu vaccines will be trivalent, covering H1N1, H3N2, and a B/Victoria lineage virus. Notably, this season’s vaccine includes an updated influenza A(H3N2) virus strain.
Healthcare providers are encouraged to start vaccination planning early to ensure timely administration once vaccines become available.
Compliance Perspective
Issue
Healthcare facilities must remain vigilant against the spread of RSV, COVID-19, influenza, and other infections. Nursing homes often serve residents at great risk of severe illness and death from these diseases, and congregate care settings have an increased risk of spread of respiratory infections. A critical strategy that can be taken to help decrease the spread of RSV, COVID-19, and influenza is vaccination, along with other CDC recommendations to help reduce the transmission of the viruses.
Discussion Points
- Review your policies and procedures on infection control and RSV, COVID-19, and influenza vaccination. Ensure that they are updated with the latest CDC guidance.
- Train all staff on your Infection Control Plan and your policies for vaccination and prevention of respiratory illnesses. Train appropriate staff on administration of the vaccines. Offer appropriate vaccines to residents and provide related education to them and their representatives to facilitate their ability to make informed decisions. Place training documentation in each employee’s education file.
- Audit to ensure that staff are following the CDC vaccination guidance for RSV, COVID-19, and influenza. Also audit vaccine consent and administration rates.
*This news alert has been prepared by Med-Net Concepts, LLC for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.*
