Updated ACC Vaccination Guidelines for People with Heart Disease: Essential Facts

Experts provide insights into the latest vaccination recommendations from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for individuals with heart disease.

Overview of the New Guidelines

In August 2025, the American College of Cardiology issued new guidelines emphasizing the importance of vaccinations for people with cardiovascular disease. These recommendations, compiled from various professional organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and the CDC, underscore key vaccines including influenza, pneumococcal, COVID-19, RSV, and shingles.

Dr. Paul A. Heidenreich, chair of the guideline committee, highlighted that these updates align closely with existing CDC recommendations, with future changes based on emerging evidence.

The Five Critical Vaccines for Heart Disease Patients

The ACC stresses staying current with five pivotal vaccines:

1. Influenza (flu): Annually recommended to reduce cardiovascular risks.
2. Pneumococcal vaccine: A one-time shot to prevent pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis.
3. COVID-19 vaccine: Seasonal vaccination to lower risks of heart attack, myocarditis, pericarditis, strokes, and long COVID.
4. RSV vaccine: Single dose for adults aged 50–74 with heart disease and seniors 75+.
5. Shingles vaccine: Two doses for adults 50+ to prevent shingles, which can heighten stroke and heart attack risks.

Importance of Vaccination for Heart Patients

Dr. Cheng-Han Chen emphasized that vaccination significantly benefits those with heart conditions by preventing severe infections that can exacerbate cardiovascular issues. Increased vaccination rates can decrease complications, hospitalizations, and mortality.

Addressing Barriers to Vaccination

Barriers such as lack of provider recommendations, healthcare access issues, and limited time can hinder vaccination. The guidelines encourage cardiology clinics to offer vaccines routinely to improve accessibility.

Managing Vaccine Hesitancy

For patients concerned about side effects, open discussions with healthcare providers are encouraged. Explaining the benefits and safety data helps patients make informed decisions, reducing fears about adverse effects.

Conclusion

Following the updated ACC guidelines can help protect individuals with heart disease from preventable infections and related complications, ultimately improving their health outcomes.

For more details, visit the JACC preprint.

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