SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – More people in the U.S. should be able to get a pneumonia vaccine this year with a move announced this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This move lowers the vaccination age 15 years – from 65 to 50.
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CDC Director Mandy Cohen Thursday endorsed a CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation to lower the age.
“Lowering the age for pneumococcal vaccination gives more adults the opportunity to protect themselves from pneumococcal disease at the age when risk of infection substantially increases,” said a press release from the centers. “Pneumococcal bacteria can cause serious illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections, and older adults are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.”
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by a variety of germs, including bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. Common symptoms of the illness can include chest pain when breathing or coughing, altered mental status, coughing, fatigue, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and shortness of breath.
In people of all ages, pneumonia can cause mild to serious illness. Older adults, children under five years old and immunocompromised people are at increased risk of severe illness. According to statistics from 2022, 41,108 Americans died from pneumonia that year – equivalent to 12.3 deaths per 100,000 people. As of that year, 23.9% of adults over age 18 had ever received a pneumococcal vaccination.
“Adults 50 years or older should talk with a healthcare provider to make sure they’re up to date with pneumococcal vaccination, Said the CDC this week. “Now is a great time to get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in preparation for the winter respiratory season.”
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