ACC urges vaccines for adults with heart disease in cardiology care

The American College of Cardiology has issued a Concise Clinical Guidance advising that adults with heart disease receive vaccines for influenza, pneumococcal disease, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and shingles as part of standard cardiovascular care. The guidance emphasizes that vaccinations should be discussed routinely with patients and delivered within cardiology clinics when possible, reflecting a shift toward integrating preventive immunization into specialist care rather than relying solely on primary care visits.

Key recommendations call for annual influenza vaccination for all adults, with enhanced-dose formulations for those 65 and older. For pneumococcal protection, the guidance supports a one-time dose of PCV20 or PCV21 for adults 19 and older with heart disease, noting that this can be administered concurrently with influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines. The guidance also endorses a two-dose or sequential pneumococcal approach where appropriate, and it stresses that receiving multiple vaccines at the same time is generally safe, though certain combinations require spacing.

Regarding COVID-19, the ACC advocates a two-dose initial series followed by at...