CDC 2025 Vaccine Schedule Comes with Revision

by | Mar 28, 2025 | Blog

In January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released their revised recommended schedule for vaccinations in 2025. While most of the schedule remains consistent with previous schedules, there are some key changes to be aware of, as well as some helpful reminders.

While we may be on our way out of the winter season, when viral infections tend to be at their highest rates, we still owe it to our health to remain vigilant against potential infections throughout the year. To that end, the CDC has reminded us that people ages 65 and older are recommended to receive two doses of any 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, with each dose separated by six months. This recommendation goes for individuals six months and older as well, if they are immunocompromised.

Remember, a COVID-19 infection comes with potentially severe illness that is best prevented through the updated immunity received from vaccination. This is all the more important for older adults and the immunocompromised, who are more likely to suffer from severe illness than others, when infected with COVID-19.

In other news, this year’s CDC recommendations contained a revision to guidance regarding pneumococcal vaccines. Previously, it has been recommended that individuals aged 65 years and older receive a pneumococcal vaccine, but the CDC has now revised this recommendation such that individuals 50 years and older are recommended to receive a pneumococcal vaccination.

Pneumococcal vaccines improve our immunity against infections categorized as pneumococcal diseases, which are serious bacterial infections caused by the bacteria, Streptococcus pneumoniae. These diseases include, pneumonia, meningitis, bacteremia, otitis media, and sinusitis, and are spread via respiration just like COVID-19 and Influenza. Anyone can be infected with these diseases, but children under 5 years old and older adults are at particular risk.

Taking the time to schedule a vaccination appointment is an easy way to help ensure your good health. With this revision, it’s important that those in their 50s, and who may be approaching older adulthood, consider what forms of medical care are at their disposal to prevent illness.

Likewise, we must all continue to consider the immunocompromised and those at higher risk for severe illness from viral infections. Remember to wash your hands often, wear a mask in crowded areas when the situation allows for it, and to stay up to date with your vaccinations so we can lessen transmission rates together.

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