Which pneumonia vaccine do you get every 5 years?

You generally don't need a pneumonia vaccine (pneumococcal vaccine) every 5 years; rather, the 5-year interval often applies to getting a booster dose of certain vaccines (like PPSV23) if you had your first dose before age 65, or for specific high-risk adults (immunocompromised, etc.), especially when switching between vaccine types (PCV13/20/21 and PPSV23). For most healthy adults 50+, one or two doses of newer vaccines like PCV20 (Capvaxive) or PCV21 provide long-lasting protection, often for life, while older vaccines (PPSV23) might need a booster 5+ years later or a switch to a newer vaccine. Always consult your doctor for a personalized schedule.


Do I need both Prevnar 20 and Pneumovax 23?

Q: Do I need BOTH vaccines? A: No, Prevnar 20 provides great expanded coverage against pneumococcal disease. There is currently no need to get the Pneumovax 23 afterwards.

What is the difference between Prevnar 20 and Prevnar 21?

Prevnar 20 (PCV20) and Capvaxive (PCV21) are both pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, but PCV21 protects against more serotypes (21 vs 20), targeting a larger percentage (around 85%) of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in older adults compared to PCV20 (around 54-55%), with PCV21 covering some strains PCV20 misses, making it a preferred option for many adults, especially those at high risk or aged 65+, though PCV20 is also a strong choice for broader use. 


Is Prevnar 20 the newest pneumonia vaccine?

Prevnar 20 (PCV20) is a very new and broad-coverage pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, but it's not necessarily the absolute newest overall, as other newer ones like Vaxneuvance (PCV15) and Capvaxive (PCV21) have also gained approval, with Capvaxive covering even more strains (21) and Prevnar 21 potentially on the horizon or recently available in some regions, offering even wider protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae strains, making it a top choice for comprehensive defense against pneumonia and related infections in various age groups. 

What is the difference between Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23?

Prevnar 13 (PCV13) and Pneumovax 23 (PPSV23) protect against different numbers (13 vs. 23) of pneumococcal bacteria strains, with Prevnar 13 being a conjugate vaccine offering stronger immunity and Pneumovax 23 a polysaccharide vaccine covering more strains, often used together in a sequence for high-risk individuals and seniors to get comprehensive protection against pneumonia and invasive diseases like meningitis. Newer vaccines like Prevnar 20 are now replacing these, offering broader coverage in a single shot for many.
 


New Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations: What You Should Know



Why is PCV 13 no longer recommended?

Because PCV13-type disease is at historically low levels among adults ≥65 years and most pneumococcal disease among these adults is due to non-PCV13 serotypes, ACIP no longer recommends their routine vaccination with PCV13.

Why is Pneumovax 23 not recommended?

Serious adverse experiences after PNEUMOVAX 23 included cerebrovascular accident, lumbar radiculopathy, and pancreatitis/myocardial infarction resulting in death. Serious adverse experiences after placebo included heart failure and motor vehicle accident resulting in death.

What is the newest pneumonia vaccine for seniors?

The latest pneumonia vaccines for seniors include PCV20 (Prevnar 20), PCV21 (CAPVAXIVE), and PCV15 (VAXNEUVANCE), with PCV20 and PCV21 offering broader protection in a single shot for most seniors (50+), while PCV15 requires a follow-up with PPSV23. The CDC recommends all adults 50+ get a PCV (conjugate) vaccine, with PCV20 or PCV21 often being the preferred single-dose options, or PCV15 followed by PPSV23, depending on prior vaccination history, so talk to your doctor for personalized guidance.
 


Is Prevnar 20 a lifetime shot?

Yes, for most eligible adults, a single dose of Prevnar 20 provides long-lasting, often lifelong, protection against the pneumococcal bacteria, simplifying previous complex vaccination schedules and generally requiring no booster, though specific needs depend on age, health, and prior vaccinations. 

Which two vaccines should not be given together?

Note that there are two situations where vaccines cannot be given together: People who have anatomic asplenia (who do not have a spleen) or functional asplenia (whose spleen is not functioning properly) or have HIV should not get the meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) together.

Does the CDC recommend Prevnar 20?

CDC recommendations include Prevnar 20 ® (Pneumococcal 20-valent Conjugate Vaccine) for ALL eligible adult patients.


Which pneumonia shot should I get?

For most adults 50+, the choice is between PCV20 (Prevnar 20) or PCV21 (Capvaxive) for a single shot, or PCV15 (Vaxneuvance) followed by PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23) later, but you must talk to your doctor to determine the best option based on your age, health, and vaccination history, as recommendations have recently changed. Younger adults (19-49) with chronic conditions, like asthma, also qualify and should consult their doctor. 

Which is better, PCV13 or PPSV23?

PCV13 (13-valent conjugate) and PPSV23 (23-valent polysaccharide) are pneumococcal vaccines, differing in their coverage (PCV13: 13 strains; PPSV23: 23 strains), vaccine type (conjugate vs. polysaccharide), and immune response (PCV13 creates better immune memory, PPSV23 offers broader coverage). PCV13 uses a protein carrier for a stronger T-cell response, while PPSV23 directly uses polysaccharides, leading to a weaker response but covering more types. Guidelines often recommend a combination of both for adults to get the best protection, with PCV13 usually given first, followed by PPSV23.
 

How often should you get the PREVNAR 20 pneumonia vaccine?

Prevnar 20 (PCV20) frequency depends on age and history: infants get a 4-dose series (2, 4, 6, 12-15 months) for routine vaccination; healthy adults usually receive a single dose, often as a one-time shot for lifelong protection, though some may need an extra dose based on risk factors. If you've had other pneumococcal vaccines (like PCV13/15), your doctor will determine if Prevnar 20 is needed, often as a catch-up single dose.
 


How long is Prevnar 23 good for?

One pneumonia vaccine (Prevnar 13) has an unknown immunity duration, while the other (Pneumovax 23) lasts from five to 10 years. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes cough, fever, and trouble breathing.

Who should not get Prevnar 20?

You should not get Prevnar 20 if you've had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to it, any of its ingredients, or a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine (like DTaP, Td). Also, if you're moderately or severely ill with a fever, you should wait, and your doctor may advise caution if you have a weakened immune system, as safety data is limited in those groups.
 

What happens if you get the Prevnar 20 vaccine twice?

If you get Prevnar 20 (PCV20) twice, it's generally not harmful, but it's usually unnecessary as one dose provides long-term protection, and getting doses too close together (especially different pneumococcal types) can increase side effects like pain or tenderness at the injection site; however, the main risk with extra doses often comes from violating the minimum interval between shots, not the extra dose itself, so always consult your doctor to confirm your vaccination status and next steps. 


Who needs pneumonia vaccine every 5 years?

People who are at higher risk of serious illness will be invited for a one-off dose of the vaccine, or one dose every 5 years, depending on their underlying health condition. Some children aged 2 years and above with a health condition, may need additional doses.

Which is better, Prevnar 20 or Prevnar 23?

Prevnar 20 (PCV20) is a newer, conjugate vaccine offering broader, longer-lasting protection by combining 20 strains, creating better immune memory, while Pneumovax 23 (PPSV23) is an older polysaccharide vaccine covering 23 strains but provides less robust, shorter immunity, with Prevnar 20 largely replacing PPSV23 as the primary choice for most adults due to its stronger, more durable response and ability to prevent carriage, according to CDC and AAFP. 

What is the injection for 75 to 80 years old?

The RSV vaccine helps protect against infection with RSV, a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill. It's offered on the NHS if you're pregnant, aged 75 to 79, or turned 80 after 1 September 2024.


Should a 70 year old get a pneumonia shot?

Pneumococcal bacteria are a common cause of pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs. Almost 1 million people ages 65 or older are hospitalized with pneumonia each year. Around 30 percent of older adults treated for pneumonia will die. Everyone ages 50 and older should get vaccinated.

Is Pneumovax 23 being discontinued?

Starting September 1, 2025, a new vaccine, Prevenar 20, will replace both Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23 on the childhood schedule. This change aims to simplify the vaccination schedule, reduce the total number of required doses for some children, and provide broader protection against more strains of the disease.

Which vaccine would the nurse recommend to a 65 year old patient with COPD?

People with chronic lung disease, including COPD, should also get pneumococcal vaccines; once as an adult before 65 years old and twice at 65 years or older.


Do I need both Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23?

ACIP recommends that both PCV13 and PPSV23 be given in series to adults aged ≥65 years. A dose of PCV13 should be given first followed by a dose of PPSV23 at least 1 year later to immunocompetent adults aged ≥65 years. The two vaccines should not be co-administered.