The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) yesterday recommended lowering the age for pneumococcal vaccination from 65 to 50 years old.
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The vote in favor of the recommendation was 14 to 1. CDC Director Mandy Cohen, MD, endorsed the recommendation shortly after the ACIP meeting.
There are four pneumococcal vaccines available in the United States, including three pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV15, PCV20, and PCV21), which cover different serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). The recommendation applies to PCVs and is for PCV-naïve adults aged 50 and older.
Increased risk of severe disease
Pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended for all children younger than 5 years old and older children with certain risk conditions. Pneumococcal disease is common in children, but older adults are at increased risk of severe illness and death.
The recommendation was made in part because of the high burden of pneumococcal disease in adults aged 50 to 64, particularly in those with high-risk conditions.
"Lowering the age for pneumococcal vaccination gives more adults the opportunity to protect themselves from pneumococcal disease at the age when risk of infection substantially increases," the CDC said in a statement. "Pneumococcal bacteria can cause serious illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections, and older adults are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease."
The one dissenting vote came from Jamie Loehr, MD, chair of ACIP's pneumococcal working group, who said he believed the recommendation should apply to PCV21 only.
"I think that PCV21 is a better vaccine," Loehr said during the ACIP meeting. "It covers many more serotypes for adults."
The CDC said adults aged 50 and older should speak with their healthcare provider to make sure they're up to date with pneumococcal vaccination.