Important Vaccine News for Older Adults
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expanding vaccine recommendations for older adults to protect against potentially life-threatening illnesses.
On Wednesday, a panel of experts with the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to:
- Lower the recommended age for the pneumococcal vaccine from 65 to 50 and older.
- Recommend a second dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine for adults 65 and older.
Why the Changes?
These changes are a crucial step in safeguarding the health of older adults who are particularly vulnerable to serious complications from pneumonia and COVID-19.
Here’s why these vaccines matter:
- Pneumococcal Pneumonia: This bacteria is the leading cause of pneumonia in older adults, with a mortality rate of about 1 in 20 infected individuals. Autoimmunity diseases and diseases like COPD, asthma, diabetes, and heart disease raise the risk of severe pneumococcal disease.
- COVID-19:
Two-thirds of adult COVID-19 hospitalizations in adults occur in people 65 and older, highlighting their increased vulnerability to the virus.
New Guidelines for Pneumococcal Vaccine
Previously, only individuals 65 and older were eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine. Now, people 50 and older, especially those with underlying health conditions, are recommended to get vaccinated.
This expansion is particularly significant for racial and ethnic minorities, as they face a greater risk of chronic health conditions that increase their vulnerability to pneumococcal pneumonia.
Extra COVID-19 Dose for Older Adults
Adults 65 and older are now urged to receive an additional dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall. **Talk to your doctor to find the best time for you to get this extra dose.**
While COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths, and cases have declined since their peak in 2024, experts predict a potential surge during the holiday season as people gather indoors and travel.
RSV Vaccine Still Important
ACIP did not review the RSV vaccine but stressed its importance for older adults with an enhanced risk for severe RSV infection. The but experts recommend it for all adults 75 and older and adults 60-74 with underlying health conditions.
With RSV being the leading