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Recommendations for who should get the updated COVID-19 vaccine, the mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) vaccine and new vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, were recently announced for 2024.
The recommendations, made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, also cover polio, hepatitis B and other illnesses.
The 2024 schedule has also been approved by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the American Pharmacists Association and other healthcare professional organizations.
This year’s recommendations were recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
The full Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations for each vaccine are available here.
The updated schedule comes after the CDC issued a health advisory alert warning that many adults are not up-to-date on influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, causes respiratory tract infections and spreads through coughs, sneezes and germs on surfaces. In children under age 2, severe RSV can lead to pneumonia and hospitalization.
About 46.8% of American adults have gotten a flu shot, 21.4% have received the update COVID-19 vaccine and 20.1% of adults over 60 have received the RSV vaccine, according to the CDC.
Here are some highlights of the new vaccine recommendations:
Flu vaccine: Routine annual vaccination is still recommended for all people ages 6 months and older.
RSV vaccines: Two RSV vaccines are now available, Abrysvo and Arexvy. People 60 or older can get either vaccine. Only Abrysvo is recommended for pregnant persons at 32 weeks through 36 weeks gestation during the 2023-24 winter season to protect both the mother and newborn.
COVID-19 vaccine: All adults should receive at least one dose of the updated formula of the COVID-19 vaccine. The number of doses needed and intervals between doses may vary depending on a patient’s prior vaccination history, whether they are immunocompromised, and the vaccine product used.
Mpox vaccine: All adults at risk for mpox — such as men who have sex with men, have a sexually transmitted infection or multiple sex partners — should receive a two-dose series of the mpox vaccine, 28 days apart.
Polio vaccine: Most adults who were born and raised in the U.S. can assume that they were vaccinated against polio during childhood. Previously vaccinated adults who are at increased risk for exposure to polio can get a single booster shot.
Hepatitis B vaccine: People 60 years or older without known risk factors for hepatitis B may receive the hepatitis B vaccine series. The time between doses varies depending on whether a patient receives a two-, three-, or four-dose series.