Get a pneumococcal vaccine, US government urges adults 50 and over

NEW YORK CITY, New York: U.S. health officials now recommend that adults aged 50 and older receive a pneumococcal vaccine to protect against bacteria that cause pneumonia and other serious infections.

The recommendation, approved by a CDC advisory panel and endorsed by CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen, lowers the minimum age for pneumococcal vaccination from 65 to 50.

"Now is a great time to get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in preparation for the winter respiratory season," Cohen said. The CDC's recommendation is expected to guide health insurance coverage, making the vaccine more accessible.

Pneumococcal vaccines target over 100 types of pneumococci bacteria, which can lead to infections in the lungs, blood, and brain. These bacteria cause an estimated 30,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease in the U.S. each year, with about 30 percent of cases affecting adults aged 50 to 64.

The CDC previously recommended pneumococcal shots only for young children, adults over 65, and individuals at higher risk, including those with diabetes, chronic liver disease, or weakened immune systems.

Advances in vaccine development have produced newer vaccines that cover multiple bacterial strains. The FDA recently approved Merck's Capvaxive, which protects against 21 pneumococcal types, including eight strains not covered by other vaccines. While a single dose costs around $300, it offers broad protection for older adults and specifically targets strains most likely to cause severe disease in people over 50.

During discussions on lowering the age threshold, CDC officials noted that severe infections peak earlier among certain groups, especially Black Americans, who experience high rates of illness starting at age 55. The advisory panel voted 14-1 in favor of the recommendation, although one committee member expressed concerns about potential booster doses and future vaccine updates.

Dr. Jamie Loehr, who heads the committee's pneumococcal working group, noted that ongoing updates to pneumococcal guidelines have been a challenge for many years. "Pneumococcal has been a very confusing recommendation for many, many years, and it's hard to have a new recommendation every two or three years," Loehr commented after voting against the proposal.

The CDC advisory committee has also raised the possibility that some individuals may need booster doses 15 years after the initial vaccination, particularly as newer vaccines may enter the market.