Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23 (PPSV23) is started at what age in the general population?

• A. At age 50
• B. At age 65
• C. At age 75
• D. At birth

Answer: (B)

Pneumococcal vaccination with PPSV23 is aimed at reducing serious disease in older adults, whose risk of invasive pneumococcal disease increases with age. In the general population, the recommended starting age is 65 years. Younger people may receive PPSV23 earlier only if they have certain high-risk conditions (such as chronic heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease, diabetes, alcoholism, asplenia, immunocompromise) or other risk factors like smoking. Birth is not appropriate, and starting at 50 or 75 is not the standard for the general population. Therefore, 65 is the correct starting point.