Here’s the latest on new vaccine recommendations for people 50 and older

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added a new vaccination recommendation for adults.

People over 50 years of age should be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia. CDC said in a recent announcement. The change represents a significant reduction in the age requirements, as the agency previously recommended the vaccine for adults over 65.

The vaccine change is an attempt to reduce the number of people who get sick with pneumonia (some having to be hospitalized), the agency said in a statement announcing the change.

“Lowering the age for pneumococcal vaccination gives more adults the opportunity to protect themselves from pneumococcal disease at an age when their risk of infection increases substantially,” the CDC said in a statement. “Pneumococcal bacteria can cause serious illness, including pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections, and older adults are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease.”

Pneumococcal disease is common in young children, but older adults are at greatest risk for serious illness and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Invasive diseases, such as pneumococcal pneumonia, attack the body’s blood with bacteria. The condition is usually very serious and can sometimes lead to death, according to the CDC.

There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines used in the United States: pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV).

No child under 5 years of age should receive the vaccine, nor should any child between 5 and 18 years of age have certain health risks.

Most people who receive the pneumococcal vaccine do not have serious problems with it, according to the CDC. As with medications, there is a chance of mild side effects that will go away on their own within a few days. However, serious reactions are possible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Possible side effects of PCV15, PCV20 or PCV21 vaccines:

• Redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness at the injection site given by the vaccine provider.
• Fever or chills
• Loss of appetite
• Nervousness (irritability) in young children.
• Feeling tired
• Headache
• Muscle pain or joint pain

Possible side effects of PPSV23:

• Redness or pain at the site of the injection given by the vaccine provider.
• Feeling tired
• High temperature
• Muscle pain