The pneumonia (pneumococcal) vaccine is recommended for several groups of people:
- All children younger than 5 years old, as part of routine childhood immunizations.
- Adults aged 50 years and older, as recent CDC guidelines have lowered the age from 65 to 50 due to increased risk starting at this age.
- Individuals aged 2 years and older who have certain medical or chronic conditions that put them at higher risk of serious pneumococcal infections. These conditions include diabetes, chronic lung, heart, liver or kidney diseases, neurological conditions, coeliac disease, cochlear implants, weakened immune systems (due to HIV, cancer treatment, immunosuppressive therapy), and issues with the spleen or cerebrospinal fluid leaks.
- Children between 2 and 5 years old with a history of pneumococcal disease.
People in high-risk groups may need one or more doses depending on their age and health status. Those with severe allergies to the vaccine or components should avoid it. The vaccine is given to prevent serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections caused by pneumococcal bacteria.
In summary, the pneumonia vaccine is generally advised for:
- All young children under 5 years.
- All adults 50 years and older.
- Persons over 2 years old with specific chronic or immunocompromising health conditions.
Consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended for personalized advice on pneumococcal vaccination.
