No
Based on current ACIP guidelines, you should not receive another pneumococcal vaccine at this time, as routine revaccination beyond the recommended series is not indicated and may provide no additional benefit. 1, 2
Why Additional Vaccination Is Not Recommended
The 2023 ACIP guidelines explicitly state that routine revaccination of immunocompetent persons previously vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccines is not recommended. 3 After 3-4 doses over the past decade with your most recent dose 2 years ago, you have already exceeded the standard vaccination series for adults ≥65 years. 2
Key guideline principles:
- For immunocompetent adults ≥65 years who have completed their pneumococcal vaccine series (including PPSV23 at age ≥65), no additional doses of PPSV23 should be administered. 2
- Adults who received PPSV23 at age ≥65 years should receive only a single dose, without additional boosters. 2
- The ACIP does not recommend multiple revaccinations due to uncertainty regarding clinical benefit and safety. 2
What Your Vaccination History Likely Includes
Given your age (late 80s) and 3-4 vaccinations over the past decade, you have likely received some combination of PCV13 and PPSV23. 1 The current guidelines consider pneumococcal vaccines to be lifetime vaccinations with no routine booster doses recommended after completion of the series. 2
The Only Potential Exception
The sole scenario where an additional vaccine might be considered is through shared clinical decision-making if:
- You have documented receipt of both PCV13 and PPSV23 (with PPSV23 given at age ≥65)
- At least 5 years have passed since your last pneumococcal vaccine
- You and your provider decide together that PCV20 or PCV21 might provide additional serotype coverage 1, 2
However, this is explicitly not a routine recommendation but rather an optional consideration that requires careful discussion with your provider. 2 Given that your last vaccine was only 2 years ago, you do not meet the minimum 5-year interval even for this optional scenario. 1, 2
Important Safety Considerations
Research demonstrates that prior PPSV23 administration can actually diminish the immune response to subsequent pneumococcal vaccines. 4, 5 Repeated PPSV23 doses yield generally lower antibody responses compared to initial vaccination. 5 This means additional doses may not only be unnecessary but could potentially be less effective than your previous vaccinations.
What You Should Do Instead
Rather than seeking another vaccine, focus on:
- Confirming your complete vaccination history with your healthcare provider 2
- Ensuring proper documentation to avoid unnecessary future doses 2
- Discussing other preventive measures for pneumonia (influenza vaccine, COVID-19 vaccination, smoking cessation if applicable) 2
The evidence strongly supports that you have already received adequate pneumococcal protection and additional vaccination at this time is not clinically indicated. 1, 2, 3