ACIP: Extra COVID vaccine for older adults and PCV for 50 and older

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has voted to recommend a second dose of the 2024–25 COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 65 years and older who have moderate or severe immunocompromising conditions. These individuals should receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after the first dose.

Through shared decision making, ACIP is also recommending additional COVID-19 vaccine doses for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

CDC’s director has endorsed the new recommendations, which also include lowering the age for adult pneumococcal vaccination from age 65 to 50. CDC noted that this change gives more adults the opportunity “to protect themselves from pneumococcal disease at the age when risk of infection substantially increases.”