The American College of Physicians is advising adults to get all recommended vaccines to protect against preventable diseases and reduce the spread of infection.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Comprehensive Immunization Recommendations: The ACP advises adults to receive all recommended vaccines, including those for influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and other preventable diseases, to protect against serious health issues and reduce the spread of infection.
- Vaccination Decline: The ACP emphasizes the need for increased adult vaccination rates, particularly for influenza, as recent CDC data shows a continued decline in flu vaccine coverage, with only 49% of the eligible US population vaccinated in the last flu season.
- Guidelines and Resources: The ACP highlights the importance of following CDC guidelines for vaccinations and encourages the use of telehealth as deemed appropriate and community-based providers to ensure adults receive necessary immunizations.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) is urging adults to get all recommended immunizations for protection against preventable diseases such as influenza, RSV, pneumonia, and COVID-19.
As fall approaches so does the influenza season and the uptick of COVID-19 cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that estimates for the 2023-2024 influenza were roughly 35–65 million illnesses and 16–30 million medical visits.
According to the CDC, 49% of the eligible US population received an influenza vaccine during the 2022–2023 flu season, which is a continued decline in coverage. Rates for vaccination included adults 18 years and older: 46.9% coverage, a 2.5% decrease from the previous season; 65 years and older: 70% coverage and 18–49 years: 35% coverage.
“There is a critical need to get more patients immunized to prevent the spread of influenza throughout the upcoming season,” the ACP notes in a release.
The CDC has also announced that the COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024–2025 season are expected to be available this fall; vaccines are recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older. The agency has also reported a rise in COVID-19 cases during a summer wave.
RSV vaccines are also available for older adults ages 60 and older. Additionally, other important adult immunizations include Tdap to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough); pneumococcal to protect against pneumococcal pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis; HPV to prevent cervical, anal, and other cancers; hepatitis A and B to protect against liver infections; and herpes zoster to help prevent shingles.
‘Vaccinations Are Safe and Effective’
Each vaccine should be administered according to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines for dosing and schedules. Patients should consult with their physician to determine which vaccines are recommended to them based on their age and risk conditions.
“Vaccinations are safe and effective—and all adults should get recommended vaccines to guard against serious health issues including influenza,” says Isaac O. Opole, MBChB, PhD, MACP, president of ACP, in a release. “Immunizations protect against health problems, hospitalization, and help prevent the spread of disease, especially among those who are most vulnerable to serious complications.”
The ACP says physicians and their patients are still encouraged to continue to utilize telehealth as deemed appropriate to discuss their health care (including discussions of needed vaccinations) and are also encouraged to visit their physician’s office or community-based vaccine providers (eg, pharmacies) to receive influenza and other necessary vaccines.
The latest adult immunization schedule and recommendations approved by the ACIP are published annually in Annals of Internal Medicine. ACP and other professional organizations reviewed and approved the schedule.
Additionally, ACP’s I Raise the Rates Adult Immunization Resource Hub includes links to resources and information to help physicians increase adult immunizations in their practice.
