Pneumonia Vaccination - Age 65+ in United States

United States

In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lowered the recommended pneumococcal vaccination age among adults from 65 to 50. The CDC now recommends that all adults age 50 and older receive a vaccine that helps protect against pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease refers to any infection caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. These bacteria can cause many infections, including pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and meningitis. While most pneumococcal infections are mild, some can be fatal or lead to long-term complications like brain damage or hearing loss. 

The incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease decreased significantly in the United States with the introduction and uptake of pneumococcal vaccines. Currently, there are two types of vaccines to protect against pneumococcal disease: pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV15, PCV20 and PCV21) and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). The CDC recommends which vaccine to get depending on age, previous vaccinations and other medical conditions. 

Every year, approximately 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. are diagnosed with pneumonia, and of these, 1 million are hospitalized. Hospitalization and death rates from pneumococcal infections are highest among older adults. Despite the increased risk they face, pneumococcal vaccination rates among older adults in the U.S. remain low, especially within racial and ethnic minority groups.

According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the prevalence of pneumococcal vaccination is higher among:

• White older adults compared with American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic adults. 
• Older adults who are college graduates compared with those who have less than a high school education. 
• Older adults with an annual household income of $75,000 or more than those with incomes less than $25,000.

Strategies to increase pneumococcal vaccinations among older adults include: 

• Providing point-of-care information, such as flyers and posters, encouraging pneumococcal vaccination, particularly aimed at older adults and low-income populations. 
• Delivering vaccine reminders and strong recommendations from health care providers. 
• Increasing convenient access to vaccination in locations beyond the doctor’s office, such as pharmacies or retail settings. 
• Establishing adult immunizations as standard for routine patient care, like childhood vaccinations.
• Encouraging health care professionals to document their patients’ vaccine history. 

Additionally, the American Academy of Family Physicians has established grants to support quality improvement initiatives to increase the rates of pneumococcal vaccinations among adults in Kansas, Illinois and New Jersey.

Healthy People 2030 has an objective to reduce the rate of hospital admissions for pneumonia among older adults.

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