Preventing serious respiratory illness remains one of the most important priorities in long-term care. For older adults, pneumococcal disease—including pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)—continues to be a leading cause of hospitalization, severe complications, and death. Vaccination plays a critical role in helping protect this vulnerable population.

A newer option, CAPVAXIVE® (Pneumococcal 21-valent Conjugate Vaccine), was specifically developed for adults and targets the pneumococcal serotypes most commonly associated with invasive disease in older populations. Not all pneumococcal vaccines cover the same strains, making serotype coverage an important consideration when evaluating vaccination strategies.

Clinical data have shown that the 21 serotypes included in CAPVAXIVE account for a significant proportion of invasive pneumococcal disease in adults 50 years of age and older, offering broader protection against the strains most frequently responsible for serious illness.

For long-term care residents—many of whom have chronic conditions, weakened immune systems, and frequent healthcare exposure—targeted vaccination can be an important part of a comprehensive infection prevention program.

Why CAPVAXIVE Matters

• Covers 21 pneumococcal serotypes associated with adult disease
• Designed specifically around adult epidemiology
• Approved for adults 18 years and older to help prevent invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumococcal pneumonia caused by covered serotypes
• Supports facility-wide vaccination and infection prevention efforts

As respiratory illness continues to pose a significant risk in long-term care, maintaining a proactive vaccination strategy remains one of the most effective ways to help protect residents. Newer vaccine options like CAPVAXIVE provide facilities with another tool to strengthen prevention efforts and support healthier outcomes throughout their communities.

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