2021 U.S. Adult Immunization Schedule

The important message: Don't forget about routine immunizations.

Sponsoring Organization: U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

Background

Most of the thunder in the vaccine world this year belongs to the many promising candidates for COVID-19 control. Still, in its annual publication on vaccines for adults, the ACIP has made several adjustments to its 2020 recommendations for other vaccination protocols (NEJM JW Gen Med Mar 1 2020 and Ann Intern Med 2020; 172:337).

What's Changed

The most substantial changes in this year's document are the following:

As of July 2020, live zoster vaccine (Zostavax) is no longer available in the U.S.; recombinant vaccine (Shingrix) is the only option for zoster vaccination.
Live attenuated influenza vaccine (FluMist) can lose efficacy if it is administere…

Reviewing Author

Abigail Zuger, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose