Which pneumococcal vaccine covers 23 types and is recommended for adults 65 and older?

Which pneumococcal vaccine covers 23 types and is recommended for adults 65 and older?

• A. PCV15
• B. PCV20
• C. PPSV23
• D. Influenza vaccine

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is understanding the different pneumococcal vaccines and what each one covers. The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine covers 23 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, providing broad protection against invasive pneumococcal disease in adults. This broad-serotype coverage is why it’s commonly recommended for adults 65 years and older. Conjugate vaccines like PCV20 or PCV15 offer strong immune memory against their specific serotypes, but they do not match the 23-type coverage of PPSV23. The influenza vaccine is a different vaccine targeting influenza viruses, not pneumococcus. So the vaccine that covers 23 types and is recommended for adults 65 and older is the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.

The key idea here is understanding the different pneumococcal vaccines and what each one covers. The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine covers 23 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, providing broad protection against invasive pneumococcal disease in adults. This broad-serotype coverage is why it’s commonly recommended for adults 65 years and older. Conjugate vaccines like PCV20 or PCV15 offer strong immune memory against their specific serotypes, but they do not match the 23-type coverage of PPSV23. The influenza vaccine is a different vaccine targeting influenza viruses, not pneumococcus. So the vaccine that covers 23 types and is recommended for adults 65 and older is the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.