Why the CDC Now Recommends the Pneumonia Vaccine for Adults 50 and Older

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has lowered the recommended age for pneumonia vaccination from 65 to 50 for adults.

“Lowering the age for pneumococcal vaccination gives more adults the opportunity to protect themselves from pneumococcal disease at an age when the risk of infection increases substantially,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. statement.

Pneumonia This is an infection that can cause inflammation in one or both lungs. Air sacs in the lungs can fill with fluid or pus, leading to symptoms such as chest pain, fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

It causes more than a million hospitalizations and more than 50,000 deaths each year, according to the American Lung Association.

Why did the CDC lower the recommended age for pneumonia vaccination?

The CDC lowered the recommended age for pneumonia vaccination to help address existing disparities in disease burden that were most pronounced in this newly included age group, said Melissa Dibble, a CDC spokeswoman.

“Lowering the age should also improve vaccination coverage among adults aged 50 to 64, including those at risk,” Dibble told Verywell in an email.

Previously, adults in this age group were advised to only get the pneumococcal vaccine if they had certain medical conditions, which created problems for health care providers, Dibble said.

Additionally, research shows that Black adults tend to develop pneumococcal disease at a younger age compared to non-Black adults, raising important health equity issues, Dibble explained. Lowering the vaccination age could “help protect adults in years when their incidence is proportionately higher,” she added.

CDC’s decision is consistent with recommendations Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which is responsible for providing vaccination advice and recommendations to federal health agencies.

Because the risk of serious respiratory infections increases with age, adults ages 50 to 64 should be included in vaccination recommendations, even without specific health conditions, according to Charles Bailey, MDMedical Director of Infection Prevention at Providence Mission Hospital and Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Southern California.

CDC data showed that nearly 90% of people aged 50 to 64 years hospitalized for pneumococcal pneumonia had at least one underlying medical condition that put them at high risk of becoming severely ill with the disease.

These results highlight the significant health risks faced by adults in this age group, reinforcing the need for updated vaccination recommendations to protect this vulnerable population.

“This reflects consistent efforts to ensure that patients more affected by severe cases receive the protection they need, when they need it. The CDC and its advisory group regularly analyze data and trends to determine which patients will benefit most from each vaccine.” Sarah Sams, MD, FAAFPfamily physician and board member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, told Verywell via email.

Who else should get the pneumonia vaccine?

The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for all children under 5 and children 5 to 18 with certain risk conditions, Dibble said. It is also recommended for all adults 50 and older, and people 19 to 49 with certain risks.

These risk conditions include chronic heart, kidney, liver or lung disease, diabetes and diseases that weaken the immune system, Sams said.

Parents can get the vaccine at their family doctor’s office during a routine visit or check-up, Sams said. It is also available at some local clinics, emergency rooms or local pharmacies, Bailey added.

“Ideally, you should seek vaccination advice from someone who has previously received vaccinations, as the type of vaccine needed and the number of doses depends on the person’s previous vaccination history,” Bailey said.

Sanz also recommends talking with your health care provider about how underlying health conditions and other factors may increase your risk of serious illness so you can make an informed decision about whether vaccination is right for you.