Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine should be given at what age?

• A. Age 65
• B. Age 50
• C. Age 18
• D. Age 4

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is the age at which the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is routinely given to adults. For PPSV23, the standard starting point for routine vaccination is 65 years and older, because the risk of serious pneumococcal disease increases with age and the vaccine provides protection when risk rises.

You may encounter earlier vaccination in adults aged 19–64 who have certain risk factors (such as chronic heart, lung, or liver disease; diabetes; alcoholism; smoking; asplenia), but the typical, non-risk-specific recommendation for the general adult population is to vaccinate at 65. The other ages listed do not reflect the usual starting age for PPSV23 in otherwise healthy adults.