US CDC advises regular RSV vaccinations for seniors

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended routine immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for all adults aged 75 and older. Additionally, the panel has endorsed RSV vaccination for individuals between 60 and 74 years who are at an elevated risk of severe disease.

These updated recommendations are part of an initiative to improve access to RSV immunization, particularly for the approximately 23 million adults aged 75 and older in the United States. However, the panel has delayed deciding on whether to recommend the vaccine for adults aged 50 to 59 at increased risk of RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) until further data becomes available.

In making these latest recommendations, ACIP evaluated the efficacy and immunogenicity of licensed RSV vaccines for adult use. The panel also reviewed real-world surveillance data from FDA and CDC databases, which included post-marketing safety information on Guillain Barre syndrome.

The ACIP’s recommendations are now subject to review by the CDC director and the US Department of Health and Human Services. Ultimately, the final recommendations will be published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen highlighted the importance of this updated guidance, stating, "The CDC has updated its RSV vaccination recommendation for older adults to prioritize those at highest risk for serious illness from RSV. People 75 or older, or between 60 and 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."

In addition to these updates, GSK is continuing to gather data on RSV vaccines, building on the existing clinical data package to aid future policy decisions. The company's adjuvanted RSV vaccine, Arexvy, is currently the only FDA-approved option for adults aged 50 to 59 who are at higher risk of RSV-LRTD. Initially approved in May 2023 for individuals aged 60 and older, Arexvy received expanded approval in June 2024 for use in younger people.

GSK has emphasized that the accumulated evidence supports the favorable benefit-risk profile of Arexvy, contributing to informed decision-making in public health policies related to RSV vaccination.