From the Guidelines
No, pneumococcal vaccines are not given every year like flu vaccines. For most adults, the pneumococcal vaccine schedule involves receiving PCV15 or PCV20 as a single dose, or PCV15 followed by PPSV23 one year later, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (1). The schedule for pneumococcal vaccination depends on the individual's age, health status, and previous vaccination history.
Key Considerations
- For adults 65 and older who previously received PPSV23, a dose of PCV15 or PCV20 is recommended at least one year after the last PPSV23 dose (1).
- Children typically receive a series of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13 or PCV15) doses at 2,4,6, and 12-15 months of age (1).
- Unlike influenza viruses that constantly change, requiring yearly vaccination, pneumococcal bacteria don't mutate as rapidly, providing long-lasting protection against the most common strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae that cause serious infections like pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections (1).
High-Risk Individuals
- Some high-risk individuals, such as those with chronic medical conditions or immunocompromising conditions, may need additional doses of pneumococcal vaccine, but this should be determined by a healthcare provider based on specific medical conditions (1).
- The pneumococcal vaccine schedule for adults aged 19-64 years with specified immunocompromising conditions or chronic medical conditions is outlined in Tables 3 and 5 of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations (1).
Recommendation
The pneumococcal vaccine should be administered according to the recommended schedule, taking into account the individual's age, health status, and previous vaccination history, to provide long-lasting protection against pneumococcal disease (1).
From the Research
Pneumococcal Vaccine Administration
- The pneumococcal vaccine is not given every year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, as stated in 2, 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.
- The 13-valent conjugated vaccine is recommended for children at risk for pneumococcal pneumonia, while adults at risk should receive the 23-polysaccharide vaccine 2.
- A study published in 3 found that the 13-valent polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was more immunogenic than the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) in adults 70 years of age and older who had previously received PPSV23.
- Another study published in 4 found that PCV13 was associated with a decreased risk of pneumococcal pneumonia and "other" pneumonia when compared to PPSV23 in older adult Veterans.
Vaccine Effectiveness and Safety
- The effectiveness of the pneumococcal vaccine in preventing pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease in the elderly population has been studied in several research papers, including 5 and 4.
- These studies found that both PCV13 and PPSV23 were effective in preventing pneumococcal disease, but the effectiveness of PPSV23 decreased over time 5.
- The safety profile of pneumococcal vaccines is also an important consideration, as stated in 6, which highlights the need for a good safety profile and low efficacy being unacceptable.
Vaccination Recommendations
- The latest pneumococcal vaccination guidelines recommend routine vaccination with pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in all older adults, as stated in 4.
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that children at risk for pneumococcal pneumonia receive the 13-valent conjugated vaccine, while adults at risk should receive the 23-polysaccharide vaccine 2.