New Vaccine Recommendation for Ages 65 and Older (PCV 13/Prevnar 13)

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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to recommend pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13, Prevnar-13) for adults ages 65 years and older.  This is in addition to the recommendation of one dose of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (the “pneumonia” shot) which has been available for several years.  Streptococcus pneumonia remains a leading cause of serious illness (pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia in adults 65 years and older and in adults 19 years and older with chronic conditions such as asthma/copd, heart disease and diabetes.  The recommendations are as follows:

BOX. Sequential administration and recommended intervals for PCV13 and PPSV23 for adults aged ≥65 years — Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States

The figure is a box illustrating sequential administration and recommended intervals for 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) for adults aged ≥65 years in the United States.

Abbreviations: PCV13 = 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine; PPSV23 = 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.

* Minimum interval between sequential administration of PCV13 and PPSV23 is 8 weeks; PPSV23 can be given later than 6–12 months after PCV13 if this window is missed.

Medicare/Supplemental Insurance will pay in most cases.

Please call this office, (508) 833-8020 for more information.