CDC Releases Updated Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations

A new policy has simplified the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) pneumococcal vaccination recommendations; the updated recommendations are published in the Jan. 28 issue of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Pneumococcal vaccinations can prevent some cases of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. The CDC now recommends a pneumococcal vaccine for adults 19 through 64 years old with certain underlying medical conditions or other risk factors and all adults 65 years or older. These new recommendations apply to all adults who have not previously received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or whose previous vaccination history is unknown.