A persistent cough was the first sign.
Karyne Jones was admitted to the hospital in January 2018 due to pneumonia before she realized it. It required her three months to get over the symptoms, even after the germs had left her body.
She was 63 years old, making her ineligible to receive the immunization that could have prevented pneumococcal pneumonia.
Jones, now 70, stated that he only escaped a bullet due to his excellent physical condition. “I think about those who aren’t and how their system would be seriously jeopardized.”
This age restriction could soon change. The Agency for Prevention and Control of Diseases led a panel on Wednesday that decided to lower the age at which older persons should receive their first pneumococcal vaccination.
The panel also approved a second COVID-19 vaccination recommendation for those 65 and older. These are the updates to the CDC panel’s recommendations, which older individuals should be aware of.
Pneumococcal immunization for adults in midlife
On Wednesday, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices decided to lower the recommended age for pneumococcal immunization from 65 to 50 years old and above. A few hours later, the CDC’s senior official, Dr. Mandy Cohen, approved the committee’s suggestion.
According to Dr. Jiansheng Zhao, an internal medicine physician in the SOMOS Community Care network, the vaccination, which older persons only require once, guards against the pneumococcus bacterium, which is the main cause of pneumonia in this population.
According to the CDC, around 1 in 20 older persons who have pneumococcal pneumonia die.
Pneumococcus bacteria, over 100 recognized strains, can also cause meningitis, ear infections, and other illnesses. The latest vaccination can prevent 20 of the most dangerous strains.
If we lower the required age, people under 65 with medical issues that increase their risk of contracting a serious illness from the bacterium will be eligible for the vaccination. According to data from Wednesday’s conference, about 90% of adults between the ages of 50 and 64 have at least one ailment that puts them in danger.
According to the American Lung Association, persons with diabetes, asthma, chronic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, are more susceptible to pneumococcal pneumonia.
“Since racial and ethnic minorities are more likely compared to their white counterparts to suffer from these chronic conditions, expanding eligibility will also help address health disparities,” said Jones, president and CEO of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, who was hospitalized with the disease in 2018.
She stated that “because of the danger elements we have in our community,” access to the vaccination is “really important.”
Obtain another COVID-19 dose even if you had a shot this fall.
ACIP members also approved the recommendation that persons 65 and older receive a second dose of the modified COVID-19 vaccine this autumn. If eligible, patients should discuss taking another dose with their doctor.
According to medical professionals, older persons are more likely to suffer the worst effects of the virus, including more severe instances, hospitalization, and death.
Data presented at the workshop Wednesday showed that adults 65 and older accounted for two-thirds of COVID-19 hospitalizations. Experts anticipate that a second dose of the vaccination will shield senior citizens from these consequences.
COVID-19, ER visits, and fatalities According to CDC statistics, 19 cases have been progressively declining since they peaked for 2024 in August. However, when people start traveling for the holidays and the colder weather forces them to congregate indoors, raising the danger of virus transmission, health experts predict that this trend won’t continue long.
KP.3.1.1 was the most common COVID-19 variation in the United States, making up almost 57% of all cases, according to the CDC. With around 11% of instances, XEC is the second most common variation.
RSV vaccine guidance remains consistent.
Medical professionals advise older Americans who haven’t previously received the dose, despite ACIP members not reviewing the RSV vaccination.
According to the CDC, just 29% of eligible individuals have received the vaccine, even though healthcare professionals are now delivering adult RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccinations for the second year.
Experts suggest that vaccine weariness, a phenomenon where people grow weary of receiving multiple vaccinations annually, could partially explain poor uptake. According to Jones, older people might not be aware of their eligibility for the RSV vaccine because it is relatively new.
“They weren’t even discussing RSV two years ago, but now it’s there,” she stated.
This week’s research reveals that vaccination protects senior citizens from the most severe effects of the illness. According to an article released this week in The Lancet, researchers discovered that the vaccination was 80% effective against hospitalizations in those aged 60 and above.
All individuals aged 75 and beyond, as well as those aged 60 to 74 who are at a higher risk of developing serious illness, should have the RSV vaccination.
The annual vaccinations are not required. If you had the RSV vaccination last year, you won’t require another dosage this year since federal authorities only suggest one dose. Authorities have stated that they will reassess if more dosages are required.
In addition to being the primary cause of hospitalizations for babies and young children, RSV also affects older individuals, resulting in about 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 fatalities each year.
According to Jones, groups like the Institute on Black Aging and the National Caucus are putting a lot of effort into promoting community-wide access and disseminating accurate availability information.
“Instead of awaiting a problem to arise, we’re trying to encourage people to be more proactive with their healthcare,” she stated. “Vaccines accomplish that.”
Contributing: Karen Weintraub on USA TODAY
