Vaccination Recommendations for Asthma Patients According to GINA 2025

Adults with asthma should follow their local immunization schedule, which includes RSV vaccination, as recommended by GINA 2025. 1

Core Vaccination Recommendations

Inactivated influenza vaccine (injection) is recommended annually for all asthma patients because they are at high risk for influenza-associated complications 1, 2
Live attenuated influenza vaccine is contraindicated in asthma patients 2
Important caveat: Influenza vaccination should not be expected to reduce the frequency or severity of asthma exacerbations during influenza season, despite being recommended for preventing influenza complications 1, 2
The vaccine is safe for administration to children older than 6 months and adults 1

GINA 2025 explicitly encourages adults with asthma to follow their local immunization schedule, which includes RSV vaccination 1
This represents a significant update, as RSV infection can lead to asthma exacerbation 1
Adults with asthma have RSV hospitalization rates 7 to 8 times greater than those without asthma 1
Among adults hospitalized with RSV infection, 26.0% had underlying asthma, and 49.5% of asthma patients experienced disease exacerbation during hospitalization 1

All persons aged ≥5 years, including those with asthma, should receive bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine booster doses at least 2 months after completion of any FDA-approved primary series 1, 3
The 2025 adult immunization schedule includes updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations 1

Intramuscular injections should be administered at a 90-degree angle into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm for adults and adolescents, or the anterolateral aspect of the thigh for young children 1, 3
Never use the buttock for vaccine administration due to risk of sciatic nerve injury and decreased immunogenicity 1, 3
Use sterile, disposable needles and syringes for each injection 1, 3

Vaccination should not be delayed because of mild respiratory tract illness or other acute illness with or without fever 1
Persons with moderate or severe acute illness should be vaccinated as soon as they have recovered from the acute phase 1

While not specific to vaccination, clinicians should evaluate for signs and symptoms of uncontrolled asthma as part of routine asthma management 1
Uncontrolled asthma is defined by poor symptom control and/or frequent exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids or hospitalization 1

Do not withhold influenza vaccination based on the misconception that it will prevent asthma exacerbations—its purpose is to prevent influenza complications, not asthma symptoms 1, 2
Do not use live attenuated influenza vaccine in asthma patients; only inactivated vaccine should be administered 2
Do not delay vaccination for minor respiratory symptoms or mild illness 1

Beyond vaccination, GINA emphasizes comprehensive asthma management including:

Environmental control measures such as removing carpeting from living areas to reduce dust mite exposure 2
Reduction and elimination of asthma triggers as part of preventive pharmacotherapy 2
Cooperation from all family members in implementing environmental control strategies 2