cdc young adults vaccine :: Article CreatorCDC Advisors Say Some People As Young As 50 Should Get RSV Vaccine
April 17, 2025
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CDC advisors voted to lower the age of RSV vaccination to include people as young as age 50. In the absence of a director, the recommendation will be sent to the CDC chief of staff for consideration. CDC advisors recommended this week that the age at which some patients can get vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus be lowered to 50 years old.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 14-0 on Wednesday — with one abstention — to recommend that adults aged 50 to 59 years who are at high risk for severe RSV disease now be included in the recommendations.
A CDC committee voted to recommend RSV vaccines for people aged 50 years and older who are at high risk for severe RSV disease. Image: Adobe Stock
The recommendation will be sent to CDC Chief of Staff Matthew Buzzelli, who will consider whether to adopt the committee's decision as an official federal recommendation, a CDC spokesperson told Healio. ACIP votes would normally go to the CDC director for sign-off, but the agency is currently without a director after the Trump administration pulled the nomination of former congressman David Weldon, MD, last month.
The Senate has not yet scheduled a hearing for Susan Monarez, PhD, the CDC's current acting director, who was nominated to take Weldon's place as the administration's pick to be the new director.
The recommendation applies to two RSV vaccines currently licensed in the United States for people as young as age 50 years, which are made by GSK and Pfizer. A third vaccine, made by Moderna, is not yet approved for people aged 50 to 59 years.
Current CDC recommendations say that all adults aged 75 years or older, and anyone aged 60 to 74 years with a risk factor for severe RSV, should get vaccinated against RSV. If Buzzelli signs off on the new ACIP recommendation, the bottom end of that second group would be lowered to age 50 years.
Findings presented this week at the ESCMID Global meeting showed that a person's risk for death can triple in the 12 months after an RSV-associated acute viral infection, which is only the latest reason experts have looked to improve lagging RSV vaccine uptake.
The new recommendation is based partially on people aged 50 to 59 years having similar underlying medical conditions as people aged older than 60 years: Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, chronic kidney disease, immunocompromising conditions and neurologic disorders all are common among both age groups, according to ACIP working group research.
The committee also considered data showing that for some people who receive an RSV vaccine at a younger age, neutralizing antibody immune response wanes over time, potentially decreasing clinical protection.
The ACIP also discussed the potential need for RSV revaccination. (Right now, the vaccines are only recommended to be given once in a lifetime.) Although data presented to ACIP did not show a boost in neutralizing antibodies, some data showed a T-cell boost after a second RSV vaccine dose. The committee asked for more data to consider an appropriate revaccination interval and whether the immune response is sufficient to prevent severe disease.
"The big question — and where I think there's some uncertainty — is really around revaccination, and that is urgent," Jane Zucker, MD, MSc, adjunct professor at the SUNY Downstate School of Public Health in Brooklyn, said after the vote. "We need to get some additional data and clarity on what we can do … because obviously there will be a need for revaccination."
[Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the ACIP recommended RSV vaccination for all people aged 50 to 59 years. The editors regret the error.]
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Whooping Cough On The Rise Again: What Parents Need To Know In 2025
Unvaccinated child dies of measles in Texas
Fox 4 Dallas reporter Steven Dial joins LiveNOW's Andy Mac with what officials in Texas are saying after an unvaccinated child died of measles in the western part of the state.
LOS ANGELES - Whooping cough, once largely contained through routine childhood immunizations, is resurging across the United States. Preliminary 2025 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 8,485 cases reported so far—twice the number reported at this point last year.
Experts say the rise was expected to some extent. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, tends to peak every few years. It saw a sharp drop during the COVID-19 pandemic due to masking and social distancing. But the latest spike also coincides with declining vaccine uptake—and that's what has health professionals most concerned.
Why cases are climbing now
The backstory:
The CDC says the illness spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It starts like a common cold, but symptoms intensify as the cough develops a distinct "whoop" sound. Though it can be treated with antibiotics, it can be deadly—especially for infants too young to be vaccinated.
In the past six months, two babies in Louisiana and a 5-year-old in Washington state died after contracting the illness.
Dr. Ericka Hayes, an infectious disease expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said low vaccination rates are playing a major role. "When you fall below 95% for vaccinations, you lose that herd immunity protection," she said.
Vaccine coverage gaps leave kids at risk
Why you should care:
The standard vaccine for pertussis—given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age—also protects against diphtheria and tetanus. But health officials are seeing major gaps in coverage. CDC guidance also recommends booster shots for adults every 10 years and for pregnant people to help protect newborns.
28 August 2019, Lower Saxony, Hanover: A pediatrician vaccinates a child with a 6-way combination vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus (tetanus), polio, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and hepatitis B. Photo: Julian Stratenschulte/dpa ((Photo by Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance via Getty Images))
"The uptake of the vaccine for pregnant mothers is not where we need to be at all," Hayes said about vaccine uptake during pregnancy.
In Pennsylvania, which reported 207 cases so far in 2025, the hardest-hit areas include Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, especially among older children and college students. State officials report that 94.6% of kindergarteners are vaccinated, but local outbreaks suggest uneven compliance.
Regional hotspots raise national concerns
Local perspective:
Michigan has reported 516 cases so far this year. That's on pace to match last year's statewide total of 2,081 cases. Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said local vaccination rates vary widely, and some schools have immunization coverage as low as 30%.
"These pock Bagdasarian added that public health departments are already stretched thin as they juggle multiple outbreaks, including measles.
Whooping cough isn't just a childhood illness—it's a warning sign. Health experts warn that the rise in preventable diseases like pertussis reflects growing mistrust in vaccines. That shift in public health attitudes has ripple effects on community safety, hospital capacity, and the protection of vulnerable populations.
While symptoms in teens and adults may be milder, infants and young children are still at high risk. The best protection, doctors emphasize, is vaccination—for kids, pregnant parents, and adults.
The Source: This article is based on reporting by the Associated Press, including statements from CDC officials and interviews with pediatric health experts and state public health departments.
HealthNews
How Much Does The RSV Vaccine Cost Under Medicare?
Due to a law enacted in 2023, Medicare now covers the RSV vaccine for older adults under Part D, which typically covers prescription drugs. This means you shouldn't incur any out-of-pocket costs.
Many people recover quickly, but RSV can lead to more severe respiratory illness in infants, young children, and adults over the age of 65 years. RSV is a leading cause of pneumonia and bronchitis in lower respiratory infections.
Read on to learn more about RSV vaccine coverage under Medicare and its cost.
Recent legislation has made it easier and more affordable for you to get important vaccines under Medicare.
Who qualifies for the RSV vaccine?
Currently, the CDC recommends that adults ages 75 years and older receive the adult RSV vaccine. It also recommends RSV vaccination for adults ages 60 to 74 years who have other conditions that put them at higher risk.
The out-of-pocket cost of the RSV vaccine depends on the provider, but it tends to range between $250 and $550.
That said, because the RSV vaccine is now covered under Part D, there shouldn't be an out-of-pocket cost for eligible adults over age 60 years. Deductibles and copays don't apply, though you may still have to pay a premium depending on your plan.
There are cases when the RSV vaccine might be necessary but Medicare coverage wouldn't apply, as Medicare is a program for people over age 65 years.
For instance, RSV vaccines are also recommended for pregnant people and infants. In this case, private insurance plans may cover the cost if you have one.
Arexvy (protein subunit) Abrysvo (protein subunit) Mresvia (mRNA) These vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against RSV and have been found effective in clinical trials. You typically require just one dose.
Some specific vaccines are covered under Part B, which is part of Original Medicare.
Under Part D, vaccines are covered if they're deemed to be medically necessary, with the exception of those already covered under Part B.
This means that newly approved vaccines might not be covered immediately. However, your doctor can try to request coverage through the formulary exception process.
For people enrolled in Medicare, Part D now includes coverage for the RSV vaccine. This means you shouldn't have any out-of-pocket costs, and it shouldn't count toward your deductible. Depending on your Part D plan, you may have a premium cost.
That said, even if you qualify for coverage under Medicare, ask your doctor whether the RSV vaccine is right for you. They may recommend against it if you have a history of allergic reactions to vaccines or other severe allergies.
The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. Jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance.
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