The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued recommendations for the vaccination of older adults against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Patient selection: age >= 60 years of age
Goal: prevention of severe respiratory disease
Indications for vaccination:
(1) advanced age
(2) frailty
(3) residence in nursing home or other long-term care facility
(4) COPD, asthma, or other chronic lung disease
(5) CHF, coronary artery disease or other cardiovascular disease
(6) moderate or severe immunodeficiency or immune compromised status
(7) diabetes mellitus
(8) neurologic or neuromuscular conditions
(9) kidney disorder
(10) liver disease
(11) hematologic disorder
(12) any other condition that a health care provider considers as increasing the risk for severe respiratory disease
where:
• Active malignancy would also seem to be a reasonable indication.
• An adult less than 60 with one or chronic medical conditions may benefit from the vaccine.
The final decision is made based on shared decision-making of benefits versus risk.
