CDC revises pneumococcal, COVID-19 vaccine recommendations
Changes include a lower age for starting pneumococcal vaccination and an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine in older and immunocompromised patients.
The CDC recently announced updates to its recommendations on pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccinations.
On Oct. 23, the agency issued two press releases stating that the CDC director had endorsed recent actions by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices: lowering the age for pneumococcal vaccination and adding a second dose of the current COVID-19 vaccine for older and immunocompromised patients.
For pneumococcal disease, the CDC now recommends the vaccine for those ages 50 years and older rather than those at least 65 years of age. Lowering the starting age gives more adults the chance to protect themselves from pneumococcal disease when risk of infection substantially increases, the press release said.
For COVID-19, the CDC recommends adding a second dose of the 2024-2025 vaccine six months after the first for those ages 65 years and older and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. The updated recommendations also allow flexibility for additional doses (i.e., three or more) for the latter group in consultation with their clinician.
“The recommendation acknowledges the increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults and those who are immunocompromised, along with the currently available data on vaccine effectiveness and year-round circulation of COVID-19,” the press release said. “The recommendation also provides clarity to healthcare providers on how many doses should be given per year to people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and is meant to increase coverage of this second dose for that group.”
More information from the CDC on pneumococcal disease and COVID-19 can be accessed online, the press release noted.