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Pneumonia is an infection caused by streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus. This infection can become invasive, and may even lead to life threatening complications by migrating to different parts of the body, including:
The CDC reports that “Pneumococcal pneumonia causes an estimated 150,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States. Pneumococcal meningitis and bacteremia killed approximately 3,250 people in the United States in 2019.” Young children, older adults, and certain medical conditions increase the risk for pneumonia. Pneumonia vaccinations can help protect you against serious infections that are commonly caused by certain pneumococcal bacteria.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines:
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
Unlike the other pneumonia vaccines, Prevnar 20 takes away the burden of receiving multiple vaccinations. Prevnar 20 only requires one shot, while the others may require more.
Depending on your age, vaccination history, and medical conditions (e.g., chronic heart disease, diabetes mellitus) the CDC recommends which pneumonia vaccine(s) you should receive. Listed below are the most recent recommendations:
| For adults 65 and older: | |
|---|---|
| Vaccination History Below: | Next recommended vaccination |
| None prior | Prevnar 20 OR Vaxneuvance followed by Pneumovax 23 ≥1 year(s) later |
| Prevnar 20 only | None further needed |
| Prevnar 13 only | Prevnar 20 ≥1 year(s) later OR Pneumovax 23 ≥1 year(s) later |
| Pneumovax 23 only | Prevnar 20 ≥1 year(s) later OR Vaxneuvance ≥1 year(s) later |
| Prevnar 13 + Pneumovax 23 before 65 | Pneumovax 23 ≥5 year later OR Prevnar 20 ≥5 year later |
| Prevnar 13 + Pneumovax 23 after 65 | May considerPrevnar 20 ≥5 year later Shared clinical decision making with your provider |
Adults aged 65 and over, who have not received a pneumonia vaccine or has an unknown vaccine history, should receive 1 dose of Prevnar 20 (or Vaxneuvance followed by Pneumovax 23, at least 1 year later).
For adults 65 and older, who have received both Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23 before turning 65, should receive 1 dose of Prevnar 20 (or Pneumovax 23) if it has been at least 5 years since the last vaccine.
Adults aged 19-64 with:
Pneumonia vaccinations may also be indicated for adults ages 19-64 with certain health conditions or risk factors, listed below:
Refer to charts below for recommendations
Children:
Younger than 2 years old:
Different recommendations exist for children ages 2-18 with certain medical conditions. Refer to the CDC website for recommendations.
At Kohll’s Pharmacy, we offer all pneumonia vaccines—no prescription required. For faster service, appointments preferred, walk-ins welcomed!
| For adults 19-64 with the following chronic health conditions: | |
|---|---|
| Alcoholism, chronic lung disease (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, and asthma), chronic heart disease (including congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathies), cigarette smoking, chronic liver disease, and diabetes mellitus | |
| Vaccination History Below: | Next recommended vaccination |
| None prior | Prevnar 20 OR Vaxneuvance followed by Pneumovax 23 ≥1 year(s) later |
| Prevnar 20 only | None further needed |
| Prevnar 13 only | Prevnar 20 ≥1 year(s) later OR Pneumovax 23 ≥1 year(s) later Review pneumococcal vaccine recommendations again when you turn 65 years old |
| Pneumovax 23 only | Prevnar 20 ≥1 year(s) later OR Vaxneuvance 5 ≥1 year(s) later |
| Prevnar 13 + Pneumovax 23 | No further vaccine recommendations at this time; Review recommendations again when you turn 65 |
| For adults 19-64 with the following with specified immunocompromising conditions: | |
|---|---|
| Chronic renal failure, congenital or acquired asplenia, congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, generalized malignancy, HIV infection, Hodgkin disease, iatrogenic immunosuppression, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, nephrotic syndrome, sickle cell disease or other hemoglobinopathies, solid organ transplant | |
| Vaccination History Below: | Next recommended vaccination |
| None prior | Prevnar 20 OR Vaxneuvance followed by Pneumovax 23 ≥1 year(s) later |
| Prevnar 20 only | None further needed |
| Prevnar 13 only | Prevnar 20 ≥1 year(s) later OR Pneumovax 23 ≥1 year(s) later Review pneumococcal vaccine recommendations again when you turn 65 years old |
| Pneumovax 23 only | Prevnar 20 ≥1 year(s) later OR Vaxneuvance ≥1 year(s) later |
| Prevnar 13 + Pneumovax 23 | No further vaccine recommendations at this time; Review recommendations again when you turn 65 |
References:
1. Pneumococcal disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 13, 2022. Accessed July 11, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/index.html.
2. Pneumococcal vaccination: What everyone should know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 20, 2023. Accessed July 11, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/public/index.html.
3. Pneumococcal vaccination: Who and when to vaccinate. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 13, 2023. Accessed July 11, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/hcp/who-when-to-vaccinate.html.
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