New RSV vaccine guidelines: Adults 75+ urged to vaccinate

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended adults 65 years and older get a single dose of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.

“It's a very common infectious respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms and often times they're a little bit more severe than your average cold,” explained Sue Peschin, the CEO and President of Alliance for Aging Research.

“Some populations, like little kids and older adults, are at higher risk for serious illness, for hospitalization and even for death.”

According to the CDC, 100,000 older adults a year end up in the hospital, and about 10,000 older adults die from RSV every year.

In hopes of spreading awareness and protection against RSV, the ACIP recently issued updated recommendations.

It now suggests all adults 75 and older get the shots, and adults 60-74 should if they have an increased risk for severe disease.

“That's actually a lot more people than it might sound like, because about 95% of people age 60 and older have at least one chronic condition,” said Peschin.

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases found that RSV usually spreads in fall and winter with other seasonal viruses like the flu.

Peschin suggested getting vaccinated ahead of the season. “There's no cost sharing related to these vaccines, so folks really have no barriers to go get them," she said.

RSV can also be dangerous for infants, especially those younger than six months old.

The CDC recommends protecting all infants against severe RSV.