Heart disease patients should prioritize these five vaccinations, according to medical experts' advice.
New Vaccination Guidelines for Adults with Heart Disease
In August 2025, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) issued updated guidelines on vaccinations for people with heart disease. The guidelines, published in JACC, consolidate recommendations from other professional bodies such as the CDC, AHA, and ESC.
The guidelines stress the importance of staying up-to-date with vaccinations for adults with heart disease. According to Cheng-Han Chen, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, respiratory infections can be stressful on the heart and increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events.
One of the key recommendations in the guidelines is the annual influenza (flu) shot for people with cardiovascular disease. The guidelines also recommend a one-time pneumococcal vaccination for all adults with heart disease to protect against pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. For adults 50 or older, a two-dose shingles vaccine is recommended to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
The guidelines also recommend the RSV vaccine for adults aged 50-74 with heart disease, and for all adults 75 and older, to prevent lower respiratory tract infections. Additionally, the guidelines advise COVID-19 vaccination for adults with heart disease to lower the risk of heart attacks, pericarditis, myocarditis, strokes, atrial fibrillation, and long COVID.
However, older adults living with chronic health conditions may be hesitant to take vaccines due to worries about side effects. To address these concerns, Chen advises that patients with hesitation about vaccines should ask their healthcare providers to explain the rationale behind vaccinations, discuss potential infection-related complications, and address concerns about vaccine side effects.
Heidenreich, who chaired the ACC's writing committee for the guidelines, encourages people to speak openly to their trusted healthcare practitioners about their concerns regarding vaccine side effects. Heidenreich also states that there are no substantial differences between the ACC’s recommendations and those of other expert bodies.
Some barriers to accessing vaccines for people with heart disease include a lack of vaccine recommendations by primary care providers, failure to assess patients' vaccination status, and lack of access to healthcare for underinsured populations. To address this, Heidenreich recommends that cardiology clinics routinely offer vaccination to provide patients with additional options for access.
Once patients better understand the risks and benefits of vaccines, they are able to make an informed decision about accepting a physician's recommendation. The ACC's guidelines recommend annual influenza shots, a one-time pneumococcal vaccination, COVID-19 vaccination, RSV vaccine for adults aged 50-74 and all adults 75 and older, and a two-dose shingles vaccine for adults 50 or older. By following these guidelines, adults with heart disease can help protect themselves from a range of serious infections and cardiovascular events.
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