Adam’s Journal
It seems like I’ve recently started seeing lots of ads recommending the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine for those who, like me, are over 50. I thought I was up to date on my shots, but I’m pretty sure I’ve never had this one. Did something change?
Dr. James Prescribes
You have a good eye. This past fall, the Centers for Disease Control changed the recommended age for getting the vaccine for pneumococcal pneumonia from those 65 and older to those 50 and above.
Now, let’s step back a bit to understand why.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is a type of lung infection caused by bacteria that live in the upper respiratory tract. It typically spreads by coughing or close contact.
The CDC justified the revised recommendation based on a change in the risk trajectory, saying there is a substantial increase in the risk for infection beginning at age 50. This is consistent with newer research I’ve seen, which suggests that the number of patients with severe cases of pneumococcal pneumonia rises at this age.
Fifty is also the age when the risk for comorbidities – conditions like diabetes, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – increases. This, in turn, raises the chances for severe pneumococcal pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.
Because pneumococcal pneumonia peaks in the winter and early spring, now is an ideal time to consider vaccination. Pneumococcal infections can also occur as a serious secondary infection after the flu – which we are seeing more of this year – so that’s another reason to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting a shot.
Finally, let me offer one more reason to prevent the infection through vaccination if possible: A significant percentage of invasive forms of pneumococcus bacteria are now resistant to at least one class of antibiotics, which is how pneumococcal pneumonia is treated.
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Dr. Judith James is executive vice president and chief medical officer of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Adam Cohen is OMRF’s senior vice president and general counsel. Send your health questions to contact@omrf.org.
