The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made significant changes to the age recommendations for common vaccines.
For the first time, the CDC announced that adults age 50 should also get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, which is a significant downgrade from the previous recommendation for vaccination at age 65.
The pneumococcal vaccine helps prevent serious illnesses such as pneumonia and meningitis, as well as other illnesses such as sinusitis and ear infections. Recommended for children under 5 years of age, the elderly, and people at high risk of becoming seriously ill from pneumococcal infections.
The vaccine changes are an effort to reduce the number of people who get sick from pneumonia, some of whom may require hospitalization.
“Lowering the age for pneumococcal vaccination will give more adults the opportunity to protect themselves from pneumococcal disease at an age when their risk of infection significantly increases. “Older adults are at higher risk for pneumococcal disease,” the CDC said in a statement.
People spread pneumococcus to others through direct contact with respiratory secretions such as saliva and mucus. Symptoms usually appear up to three days after the bacteria enter the body, with patients complaining of chest pain, cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing or difficulty breathing. Older adults may also experience confusion and decreased alertness.
Severe infections can lead to sepsis, long-term respiratory problems, and even death.
According to the CDC, vaccination is considered the best way to prevent infection.
