American College of Cardiology Issues Vaccine Guidance for Adults with Heart Disease

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has issued Concise Clinical Guidance (CCG) to recommend vaccines to protect adults with heart disease against respiratory illness, including influenza, COVID-19, and RSV, as well as other diseases where vaccination offers cardiovascular protective benefits. The guidance, developed by the ACC's CCG writing committee, provides detailed evidence for each vaccine recommendation and answers to frequently asked questions to facilitate conversations between clinicians and patients. This guidance aims to overcome barriers to vaccination and integrate vaccination into a standard prevention and treatment plan for adults with heart disease.

Key Takeaways:

• The ACC recommends annual flu vaccines for all adults with heart disease to reduce cardiovascular morbidity, mortality, and all-cause death.
• Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for adults 19 or older with heart disease to protect against pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis and related risk of hospitalization and death.
• COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all adults with heart disease, with future vaccination frequency likely to change based on emerging evidence.
• RSV vaccination is recommended for adults 75 or older, and for adults 50-74 with heart disease, to protect against lower respiratory disease that can lead to hospitalization and death.
• Shingles vaccination is recommended for adults 50 or older with heart disease to protect against increased risk of stroke and heart attack when infected.
• Clinician-patient discussions about vaccination during cardiology visits can be an essential opportunity to integrate vaccination into a cardiovascular care plan.
• The guidance provides strategies to improve vaccination rates, address hesitancy, and overcome barriers to access.

Statistics:

• Only 30% of primary care physicians assess their patients' vaccination status at clinic visits.
• Vaccines are highly effective in reducing the risks of severe disease, hospitalization, and death for adults with heart disease.
• Adults over 50 should not receive nasal versions of the influenza vaccine.

Sources:

• American College of Cardiology. (2025, August 26). American College of Cardiology Issues Vaccine Guidance for Adults with Heart Disease. Retrieved from https://www.acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2025/08/26/13/46/American-College-of-Cardiology-Issues-Vaccine-Guidance-for-Adults-with-Heart-Disease