The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently lowered the recommended age for a pneumonia vaccine. Previous guidelines suggested that people aged 65 and older should have the pneumococcal vaccination; however now the agency dropped the age by 15 years.
“Pneumococcal bacteria can cause serious illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections, and older adults are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease,” the CDC stated.
Those who are at least 50 years old should receive the shot to protect against pneumonia. People who are not yet 50 but have heart, lung, or kidney diseases should also make an appointment with their provider for the pneumococcal vaccine. Talk to your primary care physician if you do not meet either of those requirements but are still concerned about your risk.
“The updated recommendation actually simplifies the vaccine for adults compared to the way it used to be,” said Stamford Health’s Director of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Dr. Michael Bernstein. Whereas previous vaccines may have required additional shots after a period, now providers generally just administer one shot.
The pneumococcal vaccine does not protect against all strains of pneumonia, namely viral or “walking pneumonia,” but it is your strongest defense against many of the bacterial strains. “There’s very little you can do to prevent pneumonia other than receive the vaccine,” said Bernstein. “An additional upside is that there are very little to no side effects of it.”
For that reason, it is safe (and convenient) to receive alongside your seasonal vaccinations like the flu shot or updated COVID-19 vaccine. “You may have a little redness on your arm from the pneumonia vaccine, but other than that, you’re good to go,” said Bernstein.
The updated guidelines come as cases of pneumonia are on the rise. In 2022, more than 41,000 people died of pneumonia, according to the CDC, making it the eighth leading cause of death in the country. Because just 24% of adults have received the pneumonia vaccine, the CDC hopes to increase the number of those protected with a lower age.
“I understand that most people who are turning 50 feel young and are active, but it’s important to stop and schedule preventative care including vaccinations and annual screenings,” said Bernstein. “It’s easier to treat these diseases when you get a head start with vaccinations."
“Pneumococcal bacteria can cause serious illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections, and older adults are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease,” the CDC stated.
Those who are at least 50 years old should receive the shot to protect against pneumonia. People who are not yet 50 but have heart, lung, or kidney diseases should also make an appointment with their provider for the pneumococcal vaccine. Talk to your primary care physician if you do not meet either of those requirements but are still concerned about your risk.
“The updated recommendation actually simplifies the vaccine for adults compared to the way it used to be,” said Stamford Health’s Director of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Dr. Michael Bernstein. Whereas previous vaccines may have required additional shots after a period, now providers generally just administer one shot.
The pneumococcal vaccine does not protect against all strains of pneumonia, namely viral or “walking pneumonia,” but it is your strongest defense against many of the bacterial strains. “There’s very little you can do to prevent pneumonia other than receive the vaccine,” said Bernstein. “An additional upside is that there are very little to no side effects of it.”
For that reason, it is safe (and convenient) to receive alongside your seasonal vaccinations like the flu shot or updated COVID-19 vaccine. “You may have a little redness on your arm from the pneumonia vaccine, but other than that, you’re good to go,” said Bernstein.
The updated guidelines come as cases of pneumonia are on the rise. In 2022, more than 41,000 people died of pneumonia, according to the CDC, making it the eighth leading cause of death in the country. Because just 24% of adults have received the pneumonia vaccine, the CDC hopes to increase the number of those protected with a lower age.
“I understand that most people who are turning 50 feel young and are active, but it’s important to stop and schedule preventative care including vaccinations and annual screenings,” said Bernstein. “It’s easier to treat these diseases when you get a head start with vaccinations."
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