CDC Lowers Recommended Age for Pneumococcal Vaccine to 50

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a significant update to its vaccination guidelines, recommending that Americans get their first pneumococcal vaccine at age 50, down from 65. This change is intended to provide more adults with the opportunity to protect themselves from pneumococcal disease, which can cause serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections, and is particularly prevalent among older adults.

Key Takeaways:

• The CDC has lowered the recommended age for pneumococcal vaccination from 65 to 50, citing increased risk of infection among adults at this age.
• Pneumococcal disease is a significant public health concern, with over 150,000 hospitalizations estimated to occur annually in the United States.
• The CDC advisory panel noted that pneumococcal illness tends to appear earlier in Black Americans, with a median age of 55-59, compared to whites.
• Four types of pneumococcal vaccine are available to Americans, including Capvaxive, made by Merck, which protects against 21 types of pneumococci and can cost around $300 per dose.
• Booster shots of the vaccine may be required about 15 years after the first shot.

Statistics:

• 150,000 hospitalizations from pneumococcal pneumonia estimated to occur annually in the United States
• Pneumococcal disease is the most common bacterial cause of childhood pneumonia, especially in children younger than age 5 years
• 10-30% of adult community-acquired pneumonia is caused by pneumococci
• 4 types of pneumococcal vaccine available to Americans
• Capvaxive vaccine protects against 21 types of pneumococci
• Potential cost of Capvaxive vaccine: $300 per dose