New Guidelines Emphasize Importance of Vaccination in Cardiovascular Care
New guidelines from the American College of Cardiology highlight the importance of vaccinations—including influenza, pneumococcal, COVID-19, RSV, and zoster—for individuals with cardiovascular disease to prevent serious respiratory infections and improve health outcomes.
In a recent expert consensus statement published by the American College of Cardiology and available online since August 26 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, comprehensive guidelines have been introduced regarding vaccinations for individuals with cardiovascular disease. These recommendations aim to enhance respiratory disease prevention and reduce related cardiovascular risks.
Led by Dr. Paul A. Heidenreich from Stanford University, the guidelines emphasize the critical role of immunizations in managing patients with heart conditions. The panel recommends annual influenza vaccines for everyone aged 6 months and older, as these vaccines significantly lower cardiovascular morbidity, mortality, and overall death rates. However, for adults over 50, nasal influenza vaccines are generally not advised, and specific recommendations are made for those 65 and older.
Regarding pneumococcal disease, a single vaccination with pneumococcal conjugate vaccines—either PCV-20 or PCV-21—is advised for adults 19 years and older. COVID-19 vaccines, including those given from 2024 onwards, are endorsed for individuals aged 6 months and above, with updates expected as the virus's behavior evolves.
For respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a one-time vaccine is recommended for adults aged 50 and older, aiming to prevent serious respiratory infections. Additionally, adults aged 50 and above should receive two doses of the recombinant zoster vaccine spaced two to six months apart to protect against shingles.
Dr. Heidenreich highlighted the importance of these immunizations, stating, “Vaccination against communicable respiratory and other serious diseases is vital for people with heart disease. We hope this guideline encourages healthcare providers to incorporate vaccination discussions as a standard part of preventive care and treatment planning.”
This comprehensive guidance aims to improve health outcomes for patients with cardiovascular conditions by emphasizing the integration of vaccination strategies into their ongoing care plans.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-guidelines-issued-vaccination-cardiovascular.html
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