The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has lowered the age recommendation for people who should get vaccinated for pneumonia from age 65 to 50.

This as pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses surge in East Tennessee and across the country.

The CDC says lower the recommended age will better protect adults who are in that age range where the risk of respiratory illness significantly increases. The updated age-based recommendation could improve pneumococcal vaccination coverage among adults 50 through 64 years old with a risk condition. Risk conditions include chronic conditions, immunocompromising conditions, and other factors that can increase someone’s risk for pneumococcal disease.

Pneumococcal bacteria can cause serious illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.

For more information, please go to https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/cdc-updates-vaccine-recommendations.html#:~:text=CDC%20also%20lowered%20the%20age,way%20to%20prevent%20pneumococcal%20disease.