What vaccination recommendation is best for a 65-year-old in a skilled nursing facility with no pneumococcal vaccine history?

For a 65-year-old resident in a skilled nursing facility with no prior history of pneumococcal vaccination, the recommendation to administer PCV15 (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine 15-valent) followed by PPSV23 (Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine 23-valent) is based on updated immunization guidelines.

PCV15 is designed to provide protection against serious infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, including pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. Administering PCV15 first helps to prime the immune system against multiple serotypes of the bacteria. The inclusion of PPSV23 afterward is crucial, as it covers an additional group of serotypes not included in PCV15, thereby boosting the immune response and extending coverage.

This staggered approach enhances protection for older adults, who are more vulnerable to pneumococcal diseases, particularly those residing in skilled nursing facilities where the risk is heightened due to close living quarters and potential for transmission.

In contrast, administering only PPSV23 or PCV13 would be inadequate because they do not provide the same breadth of protection as the sequence of PCV15 followed by PPSV23. PCV13 lacks certain serotypes found