Academy Affirms CDC COVID Booster Recommendation

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices made the recommendation at a February meeting that also included discussion of the chikungunya vaccine for people who work in or travel to certain environments; diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccines for children; and other issues.

The AAFP has updated its Immunizations & Vaccines and COVID-19 Vaccine webpages with the latest information.

COVID-19

The new recommendation says people 65 or older who have already had a 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine should get an additional dose of an updated vaccine this spring, at least four months after the earlier immunization.

“Data show that the COVID-19 virus circulates year-round, and not only in seasonal patterns like influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, though seasonal peaks in COVID-19 cases also occur along with influenza and RSV,” said Pamela Rockwell, D.O., of Ann Arbor, Mich., the Academy’s liaison to the ACIP. “It is important that older adults receive a second updated COVID-19 booster four months from their last booster since older adults show waning immunity to vaccines more quickly than younger adults and children.”

An ACIP recommendation approved last fall already allows people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised to receive more than one COVID-19 booster in a given year. People who are immunocompromised must wait two months between doses, with additional doses given following a discussion with a health care professional.

Chikungunya

The CDC also recommended chikungunya vaccination for laboratory workers with potential for exposure to chikungunya virus, and for adults who are traveling to a country or territory with a chikungunya outbreak. 

In addition, chikungunya vaccination may be considered for either of the following groups of people traveling to an area that does not have an outbreak, but where there is evidence of chikungunya virus transmission among humans within the last five years:

• People older than 65 years, particularly those with underlying medical conditions, who are likely to have at least two cumulative weeks of exposure to mosquitoes in indoor or outdoor settings.
• People staying for a cumulative period of at least six months.

Vaccines for Children

The CDC also approved tetanus-diphtheria vaccine for children younger than age 7 for whom receipt of the pertussis component is contraindicated and updated language regarding administration of the Tdap booster in individuals ages 11 to 18 years.

The Vaccines for Children Program Information for Providers webpage has the latest information on each vaccine offered through the VFC program.

Other Items of Note

The ACIP also received updates on vaccines for influenza, polio, RSV, meningococcal disease and pneumococcal disease, and reviewed a presentation on Vaxelis, a vaccine for active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B, and invasive disease due to Haemophilus influenzae type b in children 6 weeks through 4 years of age.

Officials with the National Center for Immunization & Respiratory Diseases also gave a presentation that suggested moving up the timeline for the annual COVID-19 vaccine schedule to relieve many lead time and planning issues, and to give vaccine manufacturers more time to determine vaccine strain composition.

Rockwell agreed with the suggestion, telling AAFP News, noting that the change “would increase opportunity for children to be vaccinated prior to the school year starting in the fall before they enter their classrooms, resulting in more protection for children, their families and our communities from the effects of COVID-19 communicable disease.” 

ACIP is expected to vote on the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine recommendations in June.