Agency’s earlier recommendation said adults over 65 years and children younger than 5 years were to get the vaccination done
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended expanding the use of vaccines to adults between 50-64 years of age to protect against pneumococcal disease – a contagious and potentially severe illness caused by bacteria.
According to the agency’s earlier recommendation for vaccination – adults over 65 years of age and children younger than 5 years, as well as children and adults with certain conditions were to get the vaccination done. Doctors say children younger than five and adults above 65 are at an increased risk of contracting pneumococcal disease - which affects many different systems in your body, resulting in conditions with mild symptoms like a sinus, pneumonia, blood infection, or bacterial meningitis – and can be life-threatening.
The disease spreads through contact with secretions like saliva or mucus.
Lowering the age bracket gives more protection against the disease
According to the agency’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices which voted 14 to one in favor of lowering the age for adult vaccination, it would give more people the chance to protect against the disease at ages when the risk of infection increases substantially.
Pneumococcal vaccines from Merck and Pfizer are currently available in the US market.
“The recommendation is a significant step forward in efforts to enhance equitable access to pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and may improve vaccination rates,” Merck said in a statement. Merck offers three approved pneumococcal vaccines - including Vaxneuvance for individuals aged six weeks and older and Pneumovax 23 for adults over 50 and children above two.
Earlier this year, the US health regulator approved Capvaxive, Merck’s next-generation vaccine that helps produce an immune response against 21 serotypes of the bacteria, for adults aged 18 years and above. Pfizer’s Prevnar 20, which protects against 20 serotypes, is approved for individuals above six weeks of age.
What conditions does pneumococcal disease cause?
According to experts, pneumococcus leads to many infections that are almost anywhere in your body. The most severe and potentially life-threatening illnesses have different symptoms but involve the same bacteria, requiring urgent medical treatment, and include:
- Blood infection
- Brain and spinal cord membrane infection or bacterial meningitis
- Lung infection or pneumonia
- Bone infection or osteomyelitis
- Joint infection
- Widespread inflammation of tissues and organs
Pneumococcal meningitis and bacteremia result in severe disabilities like brain damage, hearing loss, or surgical limb removal – also known as amputation.
Less serious illnesses that pneumococcus can cause include:
- Bronchitis
- Middle ear infection
- Conjunctivitis
- Sinus
Signs and symptoms of pneumococcal disease
Doctors say the symptoms of pneumococcal disease vary based on the location and severity of the infection. A few common infections include:
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Breathlessness
- Fever and chills
- Low appetite, poor drinking, or vomiting in babies
- Light sensitivity
- Rapid heart rate
- Sweating
- Death if not treated quickly
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