On January 27, 2022, the CDC published the new recommendations of the pneumococcal vaccine for all adults 19 years or older who have not previously received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or whose previous vaccination history is unknown. CDC now recommends PCV15 or PCV20 for adults 19 through 64 years old with certain underlying medical conditions or other risk factors and all adults 65 years or older.
Here are how the recommendations will affect each individual group:
- Individual who has never received a Pneumococcal Vaccine and is 65+ or has certain underlying conditions.
For adults 65 years and older with no prior pneumococcal vaccination or whose previous vaccination history is unknown, you have two options:
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- One dose of PCV20- Prevnar 20, or
- One dose of PCV15-Vaxneuvance followed by a dose of PPSV23-Pneumovax23 one year later
- Adults who previously received PPSV23 Pneumovax23
Under the new recommendations, adults who have ever had at least one dose of PPSV23 do not need another dose of PPSV23-Pneumovax23 after turning 65. They have two options:
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- One dose of PCV20- Prevnar 20, or
- One dose of PCV15-Vaxneuvance
- No additional doses of PPSV23-Pneumovax23 are recommended for a person who received a dose of PPSV23 after the 65th birthday, regardless of the interval since vaccination.
- Adults aged 65 years and older without high-risk conditions who have already received PCV13-Prevnar 13.
Adults who received PCV13-Prevenar13 should complete their recommended PPSV23 vaccination 1 year after PCV13-Prevenar13. If PPSV23 Pneumovax23 is not available when the vaccination is due, but PCV20- Prevnar 20 is available, PCV20- Prevnar 20 may be given.
- Adult who is over 65 and has received PCV13 Prevnar 13followed by PPSV23 Pneumovax23
People who have had PCV13-Prevenar13 and PPSV23-Pneumovax23 3 after the 65th birthday are not currently recommended to receive any additional doses of pneumococcal vaccine