For pneumococcal vaccination, PCV13 is universally recommended for which age group?

For pneumococcal vaccination, PCV13 is universally recommended for which age group?

• A. Under 2 years
• B. Under 5 years
• C. Under 10 years
• D. All ages

Answer: (B)

The important idea here is that PCV13 is routinely given to young children because they are at the highest risk for invasive pneumococcal disease, and vaccinating them also helps reduce transmission in the community. In practice, PCV13 is part of the standard childhood series for all children up to 5 years old, starting in infancy and including a booster as the child approaches age one. If a child hasn’t completed the series by age 5, catch-up vaccination is recommended through 59 months (5 years). After age 5, healthy children aren’t part of the universal schedule, though certain older kids or adults may receive the vaccine based on specific risk factors.

The important idea here is that PCV13 is routinely given to young children because they are at the highest risk for invasive pneumococcal disease, and vaccinating them also helps reduce transmission in the community. In practice, PCV13 is part of the standard childhood series for all children up to 5 years old, starting in infancy and including a booster as the child approaches age one. If a child hasn’t completed the series by age 5, catch-up vaccination is recommended through 59 months (5 years). After age 5, healthy children aren’t part of the universal schedule, though certain older kids or adults may receive the vaccine based on specific risk factors.