The frequency of the pneumonia (pneumococcal) vaccine depends on age, health status, and the specific vaccine used:
- For children under 5 years, a routine 4-dose series of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15 or PCV20) is recommended at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12-15 months of age.
- For adults 65 years or older, a single dose of PCV15, PCV20, or PCV21 is generally recommended. If PCV15 is given, it is followed by a dose of the polysaccharide vaccine PPSV23 one year later. If PCV20 or PCV21 is used, no additional PPSV23 is needed.
- People younger than 65 who have certain health conditions or risk factors may need additional doses or a different schedule.
- The interval between pneumococcal vaccines varies; e.g., at least 8 weeks between certain PCV vaccines, and typically 1 year between PCV15 and PPSV23 when both are recommended.
In summary, healthy adults usually get the pneumonia shot once at age 65, while children follow a 4-dose schedule in the first years of life. People with certain health risks may have more complex schedules. Consulting a healthcare provider is best for individual recommendations.
