Alliance to ACIP: Lower Risk-based Age for RSV, Maintain Transparency Through Votes and Committees
Published April 11, 2025
Today, the Alliance submitted comments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for their April 15–16 meeting.
The Alliance’s comments focus on the items on the agenda pertaining to older adults including RSV, the Vaccine for Children program, influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, and measles. The comments applaud ACIP for their continued commitment to COVID-19 vaccine evaluation and on lowering the age-based recommendations for pneumococcal vaccines to age 50 and older. Additionally, we recommend that ACIP:
- Lower the risk-based age recommendation for RSV vaccines to adults ages 50 and older to ensure that more older adults receive the strongest and most widespread protection.
- Include a vote on the Vaccines for Children Program at the next ACIP meeting in order to provide timely recommendations and increased coverage.
- Include a vote on removing the restriction of FluMist Self or Caregiver Administration for individuals with asthma and wheezing. Recent studies have shown that FluMist is safe and effective for these individuals, and FluMist’s self or caregiver-administered nasal spray expands vaccination choices and helps overcome barriers that may limit vaccine uptake.
- Encourage the FDA to convene the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) to meet as early as possible and coordinate closely with ACIP to avoid any delays on production and availability of COVID-19 vaccines for the Fall and Winter respiratory season.
- Continue to provide clear, accessible information regarding the new age-based recommendations for pneumococcal vaccines to age 50 and older.
- Continue to prioritize measles vaccination, particularly given its potential severity in older adults.
- Continue public participation and open comment periods at all meetings.