Doctors have long encouraged individuals aged 50 and older to receive a vaccination to guard against bacterial pneumonia, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now aligned with that advice.
On Wednesday, an independent advisory panel voted 14 to 1 in favor of lowering the age for routine pneumococcal vaccines to 50. CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen promptly endorsed this recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Previously, these vaccinations were recommended only for adults aged 65 and older and for children under 5.
Infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner expressed satisfaction with the new age recommendation, noting it aims to protect those at higher risk for complications from bacterial pneumonia, especially within communities of color.
Most adults will require just one shot for lasting immunity, though some may need two doses, spaced a year apart, depending on individual risk factors. Data indicates that vaccination efforts among minority groups have been less effective, with African Americans and Hispanic Americans having vaccination rates approximately 10% lower than their white counterparts.
The recommendation to lower the vaccination age is seen as a critical step toward improving these rates and preventing serious infections caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, which can lead to severe health complications and hospitalizations.
Peoplesmind
