According to the CDC, Older Adults Need Two Pneumococcal Vaccines. CDC recommends 2 pneumococcal vaccines for all adults 65 years or older. You should receive a dose of PCV13 first, followed by a dose of PPSV23, at least 1 year later.

Many adults are at risk for pneumococcal disease. Two vaccines provide protection against this serious and sometimes deadly disease. Talk to your healthcare professional to make sure you are up to date on these and other recommended vaccines.

Each year in the United States, pneumococcal disease kills thousands of adults, including 16,000 adults 65 years or older. Thousands more end up in the hospital because of pneumococcal disease with severe infections of the lungs (pneumonia), bloodstream (bacteremia), and lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Vaccines are the best way to prevent pneumococcal disease.

Two vaccines help prevent pneumococcal disease:

PCV13 (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine)
PPSV23 (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine)

PCV13 protects against 13 strains of pneumococcal bacteria and PPSV23 protects against 23 strains of pneumococcal bacteria. Both vaccines provide protection against illnesses like meningitis and bacteremia. PCV13 also provides protection against pneumonia.

These vaccines are safe, but side effects can occur. Most side effects are mild, such as arm swelling or soreness, and do not affect daily activities.

Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Bacterial Diseases