There are more than 100 known kinds of pneumococcal bacteria. They can cause serious infections in the lungs and other parts of the body. Each year, the U.S. sees about 30,000 cases of pneumococcal disease, which includes blood infections, brain and spine inflammation, and other problems. About 30 percent of cases are among people aged 50 to 64. 有100种已知类型的肺炎球菌细菌。 它们可能在肺部和身体其他部位引起严重的感染。 每年，美国都会看到大约30,000例肺炎球菌疾病，其中包括血液感染，脑和脊柱炎症以及其他问题。 大约30％的病例是50至64岁的人群。 

The first pneumococcal vaccine was licensed in the U.S. in 1977. Since then, drugmakers have been coming up with newer versions that target several bacteria in a single shot. 1977年，第一种肺炎球菌疫苗在美国获得了许可。从那时起，制药商就提出了较新的版本，这些版本针对几种细菌。

 
There are four vaccines now in use. They include Prevnar 20 from Wyeth-Pfizer, and Vaxneuvance and Pneumovax 23 made by Merck. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this year also approved Merck’s Capvaxive, which can cost around $300 a treatment. The new shot can protect against 21 kinds of bacteria, including eight not included in other pneumococcal vaccines. A Merck spokesperson said it is designed to help protect against the bacteria that cause the majority of severe disease in adults aged 50 and older.现在有四种疫苗正在使用。 它们包括来自Wyeth-Pfizer的Prevnar 20，以及由Merck制造的VaxNeuvance和Pneumovax 23。 今年美国食品药品监督管理局还批准了默克的Capvaxive，该公司的每处理费用约为300美元。 新镜头可以预防21种细菌，其中包括其他肺炎球菌疫苗中未包含的8种。 默克公司发言人说，旨在帮助预防50岁及以上成年人的大多数严重疾病的细菌。

In June, the CDC advisors recommended the vaccine as a possible shot for adults at higher risk. At the time, the group also talked about the possibility of lowering the age recommendation for older adults. They noted that infections causing sickness peak at age 55 to 59 among Black Americans — a lower age than found among white Americans. 6月，CDC顾问建议该疫苗可能是面对较高风险的成年人的可能性。 当时，该小组还谈到了降低老年人年龄建议的可能性。 他们指出，在黑人美国人中导致疾病峰值55至59岁的感染峰 - 比美国白人的年龄低。 

Some scientists have concerns about the CDC recommendation. They say a second treatment, called a booster, may be necessary in about 15 years. And some new vaccines in development could force another update to the recommendations. 一些科学家对CDC建议感到担忧。 他们说，在大约15年内可能需要第二次称为助推器的治疗方法。 开发中的一些新疫苗可能会迫使建议另一项更新。 

Dr. Jamie Loehr is the chair of the committee’s pneumococcal working group. He was the only person to vote against the proposal. 杰米·洛尔（Jamie Loehr）博士是委员会肺炎球员工作组的主席。 他是唯一反对该提案的人。 

He said, “Pneumococcal has been a very confusing recommendation for many, many years and it’s hard to have a new recommendation every two or three years.” 他说：“多年来，肺炎球菌一直是一个非常令人困惑的建议，很难每两三年提出新的建议。”