Episode Details

Episode 90: Vaccines and Acne. 

Updates on pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines. Sarah explains the treatment of acne.

New Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations. 
Written by Harkiran Bhattal, MS4, Ross University School of Medicine; Timiiye Yomi, MD; and Hector Arreaza, MD.

During the recording, we used brand names because they are easier to use. We are not sponsored by the manufacturers of these vaccines. 

Terminology of pneumococcal vaccines: 

PCV13: Prevnar13®

PPSV23: Pneumovax23®

PCV15: Vaxneuvance® 

PCV20: Prevnar20®

Tips about pneumococcal vaccines:

-Prevnar13 is no longer used in adults. 

-Pneumovax23 is still being used in adults.

-The two newer members of the pneumococcal vaccines are: Prevnar20® (PCV20) and Vaxneuvance® (PCV15).

The following groups of patients are all adults 19-64 with underlying conditions OR >65 years old.

Group A: Unknown or no prior doses of Prevnar13 or Pneumovax 23

Option 1: Prevnar20 given as a single dose

Option 2: Vaxneuvance followed by a dose of Pneumovax23 at least a year later (Consider >8 weeks in patients >19 at the highest risk)

Group B: Previously received Pneumovax 23

Give Prevnar20 or Vaxneuvance (at least 1 year since the last Pneumovax 23)

Group C: Previously Received Prevnar13

Give Pneumovax23 or Prevnar20 (if Pneumovax 23 is not available) >1 year since last dose of Prevnar13

Group D: Previously completed series of Prevnar13 and Pneumovax23 in any order

No additional doses are needed.

Scenario 1: 68 yo M who has not previously received PCV or whose previous vaccination history is unknown (Group A). This patient should receive: 1 dose of Prevnar20 and be done, or Vaxneuvance followed by a dose of Pneumovax23.

Scenario 2: 25 yo F with HIV not previously received PCV or whose vaccination history is unknown (Group A). This patient should receive: 1 dose of Prevnar20 and be done, or Vaxneuvance followed by

a dose of Pneumovax 23 given 8 weeks later. This patient is in the highest risk group.

Scenario 3: 50 yo M with chronic alcoholism who has not received any vaccine or unknown status (Group A). This patient should receive: 1 dose of Prevnar20 and be done, or Vaxneuvance followed by Pneumovax 23 one year later.

Scenario 4: 43 yo M with previous Pneumovax 23 only (Group B). This patient should receive either: a single dose of Prevnar20 or Vaxneuvance and be done with either vaccine. Give either vaccine at least 1 year after Pneumovax 23.

Scenario 5: 25 yo F with CSF leak and previously received Prevnar13 (Group C). This patient should 

receive Pneumovax23 or Prevnar 20 (if Pneumovax 23 is unavailable) at least one year after her las Pneumovax dose.

Scenario 6: 35 yo M who previously completed Prevnar13 and Pneumovax in any order because he has a cochlear implant (Group D). This patient should NOT receive any additional dose.

Research and Monitoring

CDC and ACIP will continue to assess the safety of Vaxneuvance and Prevnar20 vaccines (the new kids on the block), monitor the impact of the implementation of new recommendations, and assess post-implementation effectiveness and recommendations as appropriate.

Examples of risk factors to consider administration of pneumococcal vaccines: Chronic renal failure, HIV infection, alcoholism, cigarette smoking, chronic heart, liver, and lung disease. For a complete list of conditions, visit CDC.gov.

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A second booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines. 
By Hector Arreaza, MD.

On March 29 and 30, 2022, CDC announc