The widespread use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in children has dramatically lowered the incidence of pneumococcal disease through direct and indirect effects. Despite this progress, pneumococcal pneumonia still leads to more than 200,000 adult hospitalizations annually in the United States. Older adults, individuals with underlying health conditions, and certain racial groups continue to experience higher rates of pneumococcal disease. Dr. John Schoen, Senior Clinical Manager of Drug Information at the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence, joins Program Host Stacy Lauderdale to discuss the newest adult pneumococcal vaccine, PCV21, and recent updates to age-based pneumococcal vaccine recommendations.

Guest speakers: 

John Schoen, Pharm.D, BCPS

Senior Clinical Manager of Drug Information

Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence

Host: 

Stacy Lauderdale, Pharm.D, BCPS

Associate Vice President

Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence

Show Notes: 

[01:25-02:53] Background on PCV21

[02:54-07:56] Difference between PCV20 and PCV21

[07:57-16:15] Discussing the new ACIP recommendation to move the universal age for pneumococcal vaccination from 65 years of age down to 50 years of age and older

[08:31-16:15] Why a healthy 50-year-old who has no risk factors for invasive pneumococcal disease should get a pneumococcal vaccination

[16:16-17:57] Summary of other changes in the most recent MMWR

[17:58-19:34] What organizations consider when selecting specific pneumococcal vaccines

[19:35-21:18] What’s in the pipeline for  pneumococcal vaccines

Links | Resources: 

Publicly available resources

Previous VerifiedRx podcasts on pneumococcal vaccines:

January 2024 MMWR - ACIP recommendations for the use of PCV in adults ≥ 50 years of age

Vizient client exclusive resources

2025 pneumococcal vaccines side-by-side comparison

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