CDC

New pneumococcal vaccine guidelines for adults aged 50 and older

January 9, 2025

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now recommends a single dose of pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) for all adults ≥50 years who are PCV-naïve or who have an unknown vaccination history.

Published in MMWR, this update finalizes the October 2024 guidelines and designates PCV21 as the preferred vaccine due to its broader serotype coverage and cost-effectiveness. This expanded age-based recommendation aims to enhance pneumococcal disease prevention in adults ages 50 to 64 years, especially in high-risk groups.

The risk-based recommendation for adults ages 19 to 49 years remains unchanged.

Source:

(2025, January 9). CDC. Expanded Recommendations for Use of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines Among Adults Aged ≥50 Years: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7401a1.htm