Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am 65 years old, and my primary care physician recommended that I get the pneumococcal vaccine, but I am confused about which one I need since there seem to be different types. I have COPD from years of smoking and take inhaled medications daily, so I know I am at higher risk for pneumonia. I have had pneumonia twice in the past five years, both requiring hospitalization, and I do not want to go through that again. My concerns are:
How effective are these vaccines in preventing pneumococcal infections in people with lung disease?
Should I get both the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13 (PCV-13) and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23 (PPSV-23)?
How often are boosters needed?
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Since you are 65 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a history of pneumonia, getting vaccinated against pneumococcal disease is especially important.
There are two main types of pneumococcal vaccines: the conjugate vaccines (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 15 (PCV-15) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 20 (PCV20), with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13 (PCV-13) being an older version still used in some places) and the polysaccharide vaccine (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23, PPSV23).
The conjugate vaccines provide strong, long-lasting protection by helping the immune system build memory, while the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23 (PPSV23) covers a wider range of pneumococcal strains but does not produce as durable an immune response on its own.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for adults 65 and older who have not received these vaccines are either a single dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 20 (PCV20) or a dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 15 (PCV15) followed by pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23 (PPSV23) at least one year later. If the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13 (PCV-13) was given in the past, the doctor may still recommend pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23 (PPSV23), depending on the timing.
These vaccines do not prevent all cases of pneumonia, but in people with chronic lung disease, they significantly reduce the risk of severe pneumococcal infection, bloodstream infection, hospitalization, and death. Boosters of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23 (PPSV23) may sometimes be advised every five to ten years in high-risk adults, but after age 65, most people only need one dose. Since recommendations can vary depending on vaccination history, it is best to confirm this with the doctor to ensure the correct sequence and maximum protection.
I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Ashraf Ghani
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
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