Specifically, there are three distinct respiratory viruses associated with vaccine-preventable infectious diseases that have been steadily increasing in circulation. These three viruses are COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A notable mention also goes to norovirus, which is also increasing in intensity and spread, albeit no vaccines currently exist for this particular virus.
All three of these respiratory viruses are highly contagious, with the number of cases rapidly growing. Subsequently, several states have started reinstating mandatory masking in healthcare facilities.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several vaccines for the prevention of flu, COVID-19 and RSV. Below is the most recent high-level overview of recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for each of these three categories. Additionally, included in the overview below is a brief primer on vaccines to prevent pneumococcal disease, which is caused by bacteria rather than a virus.
Influenza Vaccines
According to ACIP, any person aged at least six months should receive an annual flu vaccine, as long as they have no contraindications to the flu vaccine[1]. Influenza vaccines were highlighted in detail in the previous blog.
Important reminders regarding flu vaccines include the difference in formulations. The majority of available vaccines are either inactivated influenza vaccines or recombinant influenza vaccines administered intramuscularly, though a formulation containing live attenuated influenza vaccine to be administered intranasally also exists. Most individuals would need only one dose per year, and the best time for dose administration for most people is during September/October timeframe. For additional stipulations regarding flu vaccines, including timing and dosing considerations for select groups of people, click here.
COVID-19 Vaccines
According to ACIP, for protection against severe COVID-19 disease, any individual aged at least six months old should receive the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. Moreover, second dose of COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for select individuals, such as anyone who is at least 65 years of age, or those within the age range of six months to 64 years but who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. The interval between administration of the first and second doses of 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines in qualified individuals should be six months. In some clinical scenarios, additional doses beyond the initial two doses may be needed.
RSV Vaccines
As of Jan. 15, 2025, there are three FDA-approved RSV vaccines available on the United States market – two protein subunit RSV vaccines (AREXVY® from GSK and ABRYSVO® from Pfizer) and one mRNA RSV vaccine (mResvia™ from Moderna). Per ACIP’s most recent recommendations, a single dose of any of the three RSV vaccines mentioned above should be administered to all persons who are at least 75 years old (regardless of concomitant diseases), and those who are between 60 to 74 years of age (and who also have select concomitant chronic illnesses or reside in a nursing home). Furthermore, ABRYSVO is also FDA-approved for use in pregnancy between 32 and 36 weeks’ gestation, given as a single dose to prevent RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in infants who are under six months of age.
Vaccines to Prevent Pneumococcal Disease
There are currently four FDA-approved pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) on the U.S. market – 15-valent PCV (PCV15; VAXNEUVANCE®; Merck Sharp & Dohme), 20-valent PCV (PCV20; Prevnar20; Wyeth Pharmaceuticals), 21-valent PCV (PCV21; CAPVAXIVE®; Merck Sharp & Dohme), and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23; Pneumovax23; Merck Sharp & Dohme). Most recent ACIP recommendations indicate that all persons aged 50 or older should receive a single dose of PCV (if they have no history of PCV use, or their vaccination history is not known). PCV20, PCV21, or PCV15 can be selected as a single-dose option (if PCV15 is given, then a single dose of PPSV23 should be also given at least one year later to complete the vaccination series).
Additionally, individuals aged 19 to 49 years of age with select health conditions placing them at a greater risk for a pneumococcal disease should receive a single dose of PCV15, PCV20 or PCV21 (provided they never received any PCV vaccines or only received PCV7). If PCV15 is selected, it should be followed by a single dose of PPSV23 at least eight weeks after PCV15 was administered to complete the series. Selection of a particular PCV vaccine and subsequent additional dosing with PPSV23 vaccine where applicable is dependent on individual patient’s age, comorbid conditions and prior history of pneumococcal vaccine use.
Innovatix’s Vaccine Portfolio
We have negotiated group purchasing organization (GPO) contracts with the following manufacturers of flu, COVID-19, RSV and pneumococcal vaccines to help ensure our members have adequate and uninterrupted supply:
Influenza | Covid-19 | RSV | Pneumococcal Disease |
---|---|---|---|
AstraZeneca | Moderna | Pfizer | Merck Sharp & Dohme |
GSK | Novavax | Moderna | Wyeth Pharmaceuticals |
Seqirus | Pfizer | Sanofi | |
Sanofi | GSK |
To learn more about our contracted vaccines, click here (Pinc AI login required).