Women over 65 years of age should receive pneumococcal vaccination regardless of which condition?

Women over 65 years of age should receive pneumococcal vaccination regardless of hypertension, as this age group is at an increased risk for pneumococcal disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all adults aged 65 and older, independent of underlying health conditions.

While conditions like diabetes, heart failure, and chronic lung disease certainly increase an individual's risk of complications from pneumonia, the vaccination is universally recommended for all individuals over 65 to provide broad protection against pneumococcal infections. This universal approach is necessary because older adults, regardless of their specific health circumstances, typically have weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to serious illness if they contract pneumococcal disease.