From the Guidelines
The pneumonia shot, or pneumococcal vaccine, is recommended at different intervals depending on your age and health status, with the most recent guidelines from 2024 suggesting that adults 65 years and older should receive a single dose of PCV21, PCV20, or PCV15, and if PCV15 is used, it should be followed by PPSV23 at least one year later 1. For adults 19-64 with certain medical conditions, such as chronic heart or lung disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system, vaccination is also recommended, with specific timing based on your condition. The pneumonia vaccine is important because it protects against pneumococcal bacteria, which can cause serious infections including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. These infections can be life-threatening, especially for older adults and those with compromised immune systems. Some key points to consider include:
- Adults 65 years and older should receive a single dose of PCV21, PCV20, or PCV15, with PCV15 followed by PPSV23 at least one year later 1.
- Adults 19-64 with certain medical conditions should receive vaccination, with specific timing based on their condition 1.
- The vaccine stimulates your immune system to create antibodies against pneumococcal bacteria, providing protection before exposure occurs. It's also important to note that the CDC recommends shared clinical decision-making for PCV13 use in adults aged 65 years and older who do not have an immunocompromising condition, CSF leak, or cochlear implant, and who have not previously received PCV13 1. However, the most recent guidelines from 2024 should be prioritized when making decisions about pneumococcal vaccination 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
3 Revaccination The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommendations for revaccination against pneumococcal disease for persons at high risk who were previously vaccinated with PNEUMOVAX 23. Routine revaccination of immunocompetent persons previously vaccinated with a 23-valent vaccine, is not recommended.
The frequency of getting the pneumonia shot is determined by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations.
- For persons at high risk, revaccination against pneumococcal disease is recommended if they were previously vaccinated with PNEUMOVAX 23.
- Routine revaccination of immunocompetent persons previously vaccinated with a 23-valent vaccine is not recommended 2.
From the Research
Pneumonia Shot Frequency
The frequency of getting a pneumonia shot depends on various factors, including age and health status.
- Adults 65 years of age or older should receive the 23-polysaccharide vaccine, and 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 3.
- Immunosuppressed patients of any age should receive both the 13-valent conjugated vaccine and the 23-polysaccharide vaccine 3.
- The 13-valent polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (PCV13) has been shown to be effective in preventing first episodes of vaccine-type strains of pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia, nonbacteremic and noninvasive pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia, and invasive pneumococcal disease in adults 65 years of age or older 4.
Vaccine Effectiveness
The effectiveness of pneumonia vaccines varies depending on the type of vaccine and the population being vaccinated.
- The PCV13 vaccine has been shown to have an efficacy of 45.6% in preventing first episodes of vaccine-type strains of pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia in adults 65 years of age or older 4.
- A new 21-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV21) has been shown to provide significantly greater coverage than PCV15, PCV20, and PPSV23 for adults, including older adults, across all Canadian geographic regions, and against IPD isolates with common antimicrobial resistance phenotypes, including MDR 5.
Special Considerations
Certain populations may require special consideration when it comes to pneumonia vaccination.
- Adults with chronic diseases should receive the 23-polysaccharide vaccine 3.
- Children at risk for pneumococcal pneumonia should receive the 13-valent conjugated vaccine 3.
- The eight unique serotypes covered by PCV21 accounted for a higher proportion of IPD isolate serotypes in patients aged ≥65 years than younger adults 5.