CDC publishes updated recommendations for the pneumococcal vaccination

The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report recently published the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s newest recommendations for administering the pneumococcal vaccination to the elderly and immunocompromised. The recommendations are in response to a unanimous vote by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices that the guidance be clarified.

For the unvaccinated or if status is unknown, the new guidance recommends the PCV15 (Vaxneuvance) or PCV20 (Prevnar 20) be available to adults 65 or older and to adults 19-64 with certain medical conditions or risk factors.

For those taking PCV15, a follow-up dose of PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23) should be administered one year after the initial dose.

The new guidance also made recommendations for those previously vaccinated with PPSV23 or PCV13, and co-administration with other vaccines. ACIP rejected a proposed amendment to changing the age recommendation on PCV20 to 50.

Prevnar 20 and Vaxneuvance are new vaccines, having been approved by the FDA in June and July of 2021 respectively. Pneumococcal vaccines are important tools in the prevention of streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria serotypes, which can lead to pneumonia and respiratory failure. “At SpecialtyRx we strive to help our clients in any way possible, which includes keeping them informed of CDC recommendations such as this one,” stated Ankur Dave, Compliance Officer; Pharm D.

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