The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the 2023 Adult Immunization Schedule (for ages 19 or older), which for the first time includes the COVID-19 vaccine. Clinical guidelines were also published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in February. 

A new section relating to COVID-19 vaccine describes primary series recommendations for the general population, followed by descriptions for moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals.

According to the Annals of Internal Medicine, changes to the 2023 adult immunization schedule include: 

• Vaccine recommendations for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis A, and human papillomavirus remain unchanged. A newly licensed vaccine for hepatitis B, PreHevbrio, was added to the description of the three-dose series. Hepatitis B vaccination is still recommended for all adults ages 19 through 59 years.

• For the 2022 to 2023 influenza season, routine annual vaccination is recommended for ages six months and older without contraindications. For adults ages 65 years or older, any one of the quadrivalent high-dose, inactivated influenza vaccine, quadrivalent recombinant influenza vaccine, or quadrivalent adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccine is preferred. If none of these three are available, any age-appropriate vaccine should be used.

• A new polio vaccination section to address recommendations for adults at increased risk for poliovirus exposure.

The recommendations are made by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). They are published annually to consolidate and summarize vaccination updates for adults and to assist providers in implementing current ACIP recommendations.

Click here for the complete recommended schedule.