Expanded Recommendations for Use of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines Among Adults Aged ≥50 Years: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2024

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2025 Jan 9;74(1):1-8. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7401a1.

Abstract

Before October 2024, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended use of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) for all adults aged ≥65 years, as well as for those aged 19-64 years with risk conditions for pneumococcal disease who have not received a PCV or whose vaccination history is unknown. Options included either 20-valent PCV (PCV20; Prevnar20; Wyeth Pharmaceuticals) or 21-valent PCV (PCV21; CAPVAXIVE; Merck Sharp & Dohme) alone or 15-valent PCV (PCV15; VAXNEUVANCE; Merck Sharp & Dohme) in series with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23; Pneumovax23; Merck Sharp & Dohme). There are additional recommendations for use of PCV20 or PCV21 for adults who started their pneumococcal vaccination series with 13-valent PCV (PCV13; Prevnar13; Wyeth Pharmaceuticals). The ACIP Pneumococcal Vaccines Work Group employed the Evidence to Recommendations framework to guide its deliberations on expanding the age-based PCV recommendation to include adults aged 50-64 years. On October 23, 2024, ACIP recommended a single dose of PCV for all PCV-naïve adults aged ≥50 years. Recommendations for PCVs among adults aged 19-49 years with risk conditions and PCV13-vaccinated adults have not changed from previous recommendations. This report summarizes evidence considered for these recommendations and provides updated clinical guidance for use of PCV.

MeSH terms

  • Advisory Committees*
  • Aged
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.
  • Humans
  • Immunization Schedule*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumococcal Infections* / prevention & control
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • United States
  • Vaccines, Conjugate* / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Pneumococcal Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Conjugate