Pneumococcal vaccine recommendations have been updated as of June 27, 2024, to recommend PCV21 for adults. This page will be updated to align with the new recommendations.
Pneumococcal Vaccination
Pronounced (noo-muh-KOK-uhl)
Vaccines help prevent pneumococcal disease, which is any type of illness caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. There are two kinds of pneumococcal vaccines recommended in the United States:
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs, specifically PCV15 and PCV20)
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)
Childhood recommendations
CDC recommends PCV15 or PCV20 for children younger than 5 years old.
Children 2 through 18 years old with certain risk conditions may need more pneumococcal vaccines. It depends on which pneumococcal vaccines they already received and when.
Talk with a vaccine provider if you have questions about pneumococcal vaccines.
Adult recommendations
CDC recommends PCV15 or PCV20 for adults who never received a PCV and are
- Ages 65 years or older
- Ages 19 through 64 years old with certain risk conditions
If PCV15 is used, it should be followed by a dose of PPSV23.
Adults who received an earlier PCV (PCV7 or PCV13) should talk with a vaccine provider. The provider can explain available options to complete the pneumococcal vaccine series.
Adults 65 years or older have the option to get PCV20 if they have already received
- PCV13 (but not PCV15 or PCV20) at any age
AND
- PPSV23 at or after the age of 65 years old
These adults can talk with a vaccine provider and decide, together, whether to get PCV20.
CDC recommends PCV15 or PCV20 for:
- Children younger than 5 years old
- People 5 through 64 years old with certain risk conditions who never received a PCV
- Adults 65 years or older who never received a PCV
CDC recommends PPSV23 for:
- Children 2 through 18 years old with certain risk conditions who get PCV15
- Adults 19 years or older who get PCV15
People previously recommended to get both PCV13 and PPSV23 who already received PCV13 can complete the recommended series with:
- PCV20
OR - PPSV23
- CDC’s Pneumococcal Disease Website
- CDC’s Meningitis Website
- CDC’s Pneumonia Website
- Pneumococcal Vaccine Information Statements
- PCV (English / Other Languages)
- PPSV23 (English / Other Languages)