From the Guidelines
The patient who should receive the pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax/PPSV23) is an adult aged 19-64 years with certain high-risk conditions, such as immunocompromising conditions, or an adult aged 65 years or older, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in 2023 1.
Key Points to Consider
- The PPSV23 vaccine is recommended for adults aged 19-64 years with certain high-risk conditions, such as immunocompromising conditions, including chronic renal failure, congenital or acquired asplenia, congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, generalized malignancy, HIV infection, and others 1.
- Adults aged 65 years or older should receive a single dose of PPSV23, regardless of their vaccination history 1.
- The vaccine schedule for adults aged 19-64 years with high-risk conditions may vary depending on their vaccination history and the presence of immunocompromising conditions 1.
- Shared clinical decision-making is recommended for adults aged 65 years or older who have completed their recommended vaccine series with both PCV13 and PPSV23, to determine whether an additional dose of PCV20 is necessary 1.
Important Considerations
- The PPSV23 vaccine helps protect against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria, reducing the risk of serious infections like pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections in vulnerable individuals.
- The vaccine is particularly important for adults with high-risk conditions, as they are more susceptible to pneumococcal infections.
- Healthcare providers should review the patient's vaccination history and medical conditions to determine the best vaccine schedule and recommendations for each individual patient.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Patient Eligibility for Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (Pneumovax/PPSV23)
The following patients should receive the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax/PPSV23):
- Adults aged ≥65 years, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 2, 3
- Adults aged 19-64 years with risk conditions for pneumococcal disease, such as chronic disease or immunosuppression 3, 4
- Adults who have not received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) or whose vaccination history is unknown 3
- Immunocompromised patients of any age, who should receive both PCV and PPSV23 4
Special Considerations
- Sequential PCV13/PPSV23 vaccination is most effective for preventing pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among adults aged 65-74 years 5
- Adults should be revaccinated once at age 65 years or older with the 23-polysaccharide vaccine, provided that at least 5 years have elapsed since the previous vaccination 4
- Age-based pneumococcal vaccination recommendation at age 50 years may reduce inequities in pneumococcal disease burden, particularly in underserved minority populations 6