At the AAFP Scientific Assembly last week, Dr. Vincent Hsu, Infectious Diseases Specialist, presented Immunization Update: Improving Immunizations in 2014 to the Family Physicians in attendance. In his presentation, Dr. Hsu mentioned that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new pneumococcal vaccine recommendations for adults age 65 years and older in the September 19 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The new recommendations involve using both pneumococcal conjugate vaccines – Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23 and are summarized below:
- Patient history: No previous pneumococcal vaccine (of either type or at any age) or pneumococcal vaccination history unknown Give: PCV13 at age 65 (or older) followed by PPSV23 6–12 months later.
- Patient history: Previous dose of PPSV23 vaccine received at age 65 or older Give: PCV13 at least one year after the PPSV23 dose.
- Patient History: Previous dose of PPSV23 vaccine received before age 65 Give: PCV13 at age 65 (or older), at least one year after the most recent PPSV23 dose. Give the final dose of PPSV23 6–12 months after PCV13, and at least five years after previous PPSV23 dose.
For more information, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has provided a great summary of the new recommendation.