The ACIP recently recommended changes to the 2022 adult immunization schedule.

A summary was published recently in Annals of Internal Medicine. The article notes that the 2022 schedule has also been approved by the director of the CDC and by the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the American Academy of Physician Associates, and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

The committee, which offers guidance to the CDC, now is advising universal hepatitis B vaccination of all adults aged 19 through 59 years and vaccination of adults aged 60 years and older at risk for hepatitis B virus infection. The ACIP also recommends vaccination of adults aged 60 years and older requesting protection from HBV without the need to acknowledge a specific risk factor.

A few updates were made to the seasonal influenza vaccine recommendations for the 2021-2022 influenza season, although routine annual influenza vaccination still is recommended for all persons aged 6 months and older who do not have contraindications. As in the past, no preferential recommendation is made for one influenza vaccine product over another in recipients for whom more than one licensed and recommended product based on patient age and health status is available. That includes the higher dose shot available for seniors.

An important change is that previous severe allergic reaction to influenza vaccine is no longer a contraindication to future receipt of any influenza vaccine. "Rather, individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction to an influenza vaccine may have a precaution to receive a different type of influenza vaccine," the guidance stated.

Although routine recommendations for meningococcal vaccination have not changed, a note was added at the end of the section that states, "MenB vaccines may be administered simultaneously with MenACWY vaccines if indicated, but at a different anatomical site, if feasible."

The ACIP recommends routine vaccination against pneumococcal infection for all adults aged 65 years or older. Older adults aged 65 years and older who have not previously received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or whose previous vaccination history is unknown should receive one dose of PCV15 or one dose of PCV20. If PCV15 is used, it should be followed by a dose of PPSV23.

Similar guidance is included in the "special situations" sections for younger people aged 19 through 64 years with certain underlying medical conditions or other risk factors, which are detailed in the document. It also includes dosing intervals between PCV15 and PPSV23 and for patients who have previously received PCV13 or PPSV23t.

Under the pregnancy bullet in the special situations section, the language about recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) was revised to increase clarity. It now states, "There is currently no ACIP recommendation for RZV use in pregnancy. Consider delaying RZV until after pregnancy."

In addition, a revision was made to the immunocompromising conditions bullet to reflect the new ACIP recommendations for RZV. This bullet now states "RZV is recommended for use in persons aged 19 years and older who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed because of disease or therapy."

The content contained in this article is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.

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