The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met on June 24th and 25th, 2015 in Atlanta and discussed topics including pneumococcal vaccination. ACIP provides recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine use.

There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines: PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23®) and PCV13 (Prevnar 13®). All patients 65 years or older should receive both vaccines. In general, PCV13 should be administered first, followed by PPSV23. The interval between these two vaccines in adults can be complicated, so ACIP recently reviewed available data to determine if intervals could be simplified. Previously, the interval between PCV13 and PPSV23 for adults 65 or older was 6-12 months. However, ACIP found no data showing that the shorter 6-month interval was beneficial to patients. Moreover, Medicare will cover “a different, second pneumococcal vaccine one year after the first vaccine was administered” (http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/MM9051.pdf). In an effort to harmonize CDC recommendations with CMS payment policies, ACIP voted to change the recommended dosing interval between PCV13 and PPSV23 to 12 months for patients 65 or older.

More information about ACIP’s recent recommendations on pneumococcal and other vaccines can be found here.

Complete minutes and other information from the June meeting will be forthcoming from the CDC here.

Learn more about how atom Alliance helps improve adult immunization rates.

To download an easy-to-use copy of the new guidelines, please go here.

Amanda Ryan, PharmD, CGP

Amanda Ryan is a pharmacist with more than 10 years of experience in community and long-term care settings. She is a Certified Geriatric Pharmacist and has additional certifications in diabetes care and immunization delivery. Her specific practice experiences include engaging with patients to reduce adverse drug events, assisting with care transitions between hospital and long-term care, and providing clinical pharmacy services to long-term care facilities. As part of the atom Alliance, her goal as Clinical Pharmacy Specialist is to improve healthcare quality for patients by optimizing medication use.