Which population is recommended to receive the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23)?

The recommendation for the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23) prominently includes all individuals who are 65 years and older. This population is at a higher risk for pneumococcal disease, which can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. The immune response to this vaccine is particularly important for senior patients, as they may have a lower baseline immunity due to age-related factors.

In addition to those over 65, the vaccine may also be indicated for younger adults and children with specific risk factors or underlying health conditions, but the broad recommendation for universal vaccination of everyone aged 65 and older reflects the critical need to protect this vulnerable group.

The other groups mentioned in the question do not meet the general criteria for receiving PPSV23. Children under 2 years old are typically recommended to receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) instead. Smokers aged 30-45 are not specifically a target group for this vaccine, even though smoking can increase the risk of pneumococcal disease, without age and other comorbid considerations, they are not included in routine guidelines for PPSV23. Consequently, the correct option highlights the importance of vacc