US health officials have recommended that people aged 50 and older receive the pneumococcal vaccine, which helps protect against bacterial infections that can lead to pneumonia and other serious illnesses.
This guidance, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) following a vote by its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), lowers the recommended age from 65.
The CDC’s recommendation aims to prepare older adults for the winter respiratory season when the risk of infections like pneumonia increases. CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated against pneumococcal disease, which causes an estimated 30,000 cases of invasive disease in the US each year.
The decision comes after research showed that 30% of pneumococcal disease cases occur among 50- to 64-year-olds. It also expands eligibility for the vaccine to a broader group of people under 65 who have underlying health conditions that increase their risk, such as diabetes or chronic heart disease.
There are currently four pneumococcal vaccines in use, with the newest being Merck’s Capvaxive, approved by the FDA earlier this year. This vaccine protects against 21 types of pneumococcal bacteria, including those responsible for the most severe diseases in adults over 50.
The committee’s decision is expected to improve access to the vaccine and reduce health disparities, as many racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to have chronic conditions that put them at risk for pneumococcal pneumonia.
In addition to pneumococcal vaccines, the ACIP also recommended an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 65 and older to bolster protection during the winter season, when respiratory infections are more common.
With input from the Associated Press and USA Today.
