Overview

• Published Aug. 26 in JACC, the American College of Cardiology’s guidance calls for integrating vaccination into routine cardiovascular care for adults with heart disease.
• The document recommends influenza, pneumococcal (single PCV20 or PCV21, or PCV15 then PPSV23), seasonal COVID-19 vaccination, RSV for selected older adults, and two-dose zoster for those 50 and older.
• The committee advises an initial two-dose COVID-19 series with at least one 2024–25 booster for most adults with heart disease, with additional boosters for some people 65 and older with moderate to severe immune deficiency.
• Cardiologists are encouraged to assess status and administer vaccines in clinic to improve uptake, with guidance for addressing hesitancy, cost questions, and misinformation.
• The recommendations arrive as recent federal policy shifts have created uncertainty about access and insurance coverage, and surveys show low public intent to receive updated COVID-19 shots.