Pharm Report Issue No. 15

A newsletter to update clinic staff on current issues in healthcare

Issue XV

New Recommendations for Pneumococcal Vaccination!

CDC Now Recommends Routine Pneumococcal Vaccination for Adults 50 and Older

In October, ACIP voted to lower the age for routine pneumococcal vaccination for adults. The current pneumococcal vaccination recommendations state adults 50 and older should get a dose of PCV 20 (Prevnar 20) or PCV 21 (Capvaxive). Alternatively, patients 50 and older can get a series of PCV15 (Vaxneuvance) PLUS PPSV23 (Pneumovax23). Adults 18 to 49 who are at high risk should also be vaccinated. These conditions include asplenia, CSF leak cochlear implant, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, sickle cell disease or other hemoglobinopathies, HIV infection, immunodeficiency, solid organ transplant, malignancy, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, alcoholism, cigarette smoking, diabetes, chronic heart disease, chronic liver disease, and chronic lung disease.

(The previous recommendations stated that adults 65 and older should get a dose of PCV 20 OR a series of PCV15 PLUS PPSV23, as well as adults 18 to 64 who are at high risk.)

What about children? The CDC still recommends routine pneumococcal vaccination for children younger than 5 years old. Infants should receive a 4-dose PCV series (PCV15 or PCV20): 1 dose at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 through 15 months.

Does all this sound confusing? Not to worry—the CDC’s PneumoRecs VaxAdvisor app can help providers determine if your patients are due for pneumococcal vaccination.

Prescription Tips

• The new year is just around the corner and that means insurance changes for many patients. Be prepared for requests to change medications as insurance formularies change with the new year.
• If you recommend an over-the-counter medication or supplement, send a prescription to the pharmacy! The item may be covered by insurance or be eligible for HSA accounts. It also helps the pharmacy staff choose the right product and dosage when a patient says, “My doctor told me to start taking an iron supplement.”
• COVID and flu vaccines are still available! Information about how to get them at Forward Pharmacy can be found here.

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