Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Lowers Pneumococcal Vaccination Age to 50
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has lowered the recommended age for pneumococcal vaccination from 65 to 50 years. (1)
The updated guidelines recommend pneumococcal vaccination for the following groups:
- Adults aged 50 years and older who have not previously received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or whose vaccination history is unknown.
- Adults aged 19–49 years with underlying medical conditions or other risk factors who have not previously received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or whose vaccination history is unknown.
- Adults aged 19 years and older who began their pneumococcal vaccine series with PCV13 (pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine) but have not yet completed the recommended doses of PPSV23 (pneumococcal 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine). (1,2)
Potential Reasons for Lowering the Recommended Vaccination Age from 65 to 50 Years: The recommendation to lower the vaccination age from 65 to 50 years is based on the significant burden of pneumococcal disease and the need to protect individuals at an age when the risk of infection substantially increases, in the light of evolving evidence (2,3)
- The post-COVID-19 surge in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) cases, with Pneumococcus being the most common co-infection and contributing to 50% of COVID-related deaths, highlights the need for earlier vaccination (3)
- Pneumococcal bacteria can cause severe illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections, with adults <50 years particularly vulnerable. (4) The high mortality rate of pneumococcal pneumonia, ranging from 14% to 30% overall and up to 50% in ICU patients, combined with the low vaccination coverage in adults over 45 years despite existing recommendations, emphasizes the urgency of preventive measures. (3)
- Most patients with pneumococcal infections have multiple comorbidities, with a record of up to 72.6% of IPD patients having one or more underlying conditions, significantly increasing their risk of severe outcomes. (5)
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