If patients 19 through 64 years who are in a recommended risk group for pneumococcal vaccination aren’t sure if they have previously been vaccinated with a pneumococcal vaccine, should healthcare providers vaccinate them?

Yes. If patients have an uncertain vaccination history and their records are not readily obtainable, you should administer the recommended doses: PCV20 alone or PCV15 followed by PPSV23 one year later. Extra doses will not cause harm to the patient. Per the CDC “General Best Practices for Immunization Guidelines”, self-reported doses of influenza and PPSV23 are acceptable. Therefore, if a patient recalls receiving PPSV23, it is acceptable to provide one dose of PCV20 or one dose of PCV15.