US Health Officials Call for Shots Against Pneumonia
2024-11-05
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1American health officials say people age 50 and older should get vaccinated against bacteria that cause pneumonia and other dangerous diseases.
2Pneumonia is an infection that affects the lungs.
3It makes breathing difficult and can cause a rise in body temperature.
4Pneumonia can also lead to a cough that produces yellow, green or bloody substances.
5The advice, or recommendation, was offered by a group of scientific advisors and approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
6The former age recommendation for adult vaccinations was 65 and older.
7CDC Director Mandy Cohen said in a statement, "Now is a great time to get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in preparation for the winter respiratory season."
8The advisors voted 14-1 to change the age recommendation during an October meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, home of the CDC headquarters.
9Doctors widely follow the agency's guidance.
10Pneumococcal shot recommendations are sometimes called the most complex vaccination guidance that the government issues.
11The CDC currently recommends shots for children younger than five and adults 50 or older, as long as they have never been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease.
12Officials also recommend the shots for children and adults at increased risk for pneumococcal disease, such as those with diabetes, liver disease or a weakened immune, or defense, system.
13There are more than 100 known kinds of pneumococcal bacteria.
14They can cause serious infections in the lungs and other parts of the body.
15Each year, the U.S. sees about 30,000 cases of pneumococcal disease, which includes blood infections, brain and spine inflammation, and other problems.
16About 30 percent of cases are among people aged 50 to 64.
17The first pneumococcal vaccine was licensed in the U.S. in 1977.
18Since then, drugmakers have been coming up with newer versions that target several bacteria in a single shot.
19There are four vaccines now in use.
20They include Prevnar 20 from Wyeth-Pfizer, and Vaxneuvance and Pneumovax 23 made by Merck.
21The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this year also approved Merck's Capvaxive, which can cost around $300 a treatment.
22The new shot can protect against 21 kinds of bacteria, including eight not included in other pneumococcal vaccines.
23A 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.
24In June, the CDC advisors recommended the vaccine as a possible shot for adults at higher risk.
25At the time, the group also talked about the possibility of lowering the age recommendation for older adults.
26They noted that infections causing sickness peak at age 55 to 59 among Black Americans - a lower age than found among white Americans.
27Some scientists have concerns about the CDC recommendation.
28They say a second treatment, called a booster, may be necessary in about 15 years.
29And some new vaccines in development could force another update to the recommendations.
30Dr. Jamie Loehr is the chair of the committee's pneumococcal working group.
31He was the only person to vote against the proposal.
32He 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."
33I'm Caty Weaver.
1American health officials say people age 50 and older should get vaccinated against bacteria that cause pneumonia and other dangerous diseases. 2Pneumonia is an infection that affects the lungs. It makes breathing difficult and can cause a rise in body temperature. Pneumonia can also lead to a cough that produces yellow, green or bloody substances. 3The advice, or recommendation, was offered by a group of scientific advisors and approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The former age recommendation for adult vaccinations was 65 and older. 4CDC Director Mandy Cohen said in a statement, "Now is a great time to get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in preparation for the winter respiratory season." 5The advisors voted 14-1 to change the age recommendation during an October meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, home of the CDC headquarters. Doctors widely follow the agency's guidance. 6Pneumococcal shot recommendations are sometimes called the most complex vaccination guidance that the government issues. 7The CDC currently recommends shots for children younger than five and adults 50 or older, as long as they have never been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease. Officials also recommend the shots for children and adults at increased risk for pneumococcal disease, such as those with diabetes, liver disease or a weakened immune, or defense, system. 8There 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. 9The 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. 10There 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. 11In 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. 12Some 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. 13Dr. Jamie Loehr is the chair of the committee's pneumococcal working group. He was the only person to vote against the proposal. 14He 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." 15I'm Caty Weaver. 16Hai Do adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting from The Associated Press and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 17_____________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19cough - v. to force air through your throat with short, loud noise because you are sick. 20respiratory - adj. of or relating to breathing 21peak - n. the highest level 22confusing - adj. difficult to understand