Oct 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention on Wednesday recommended expanding the use of

vaccines to adults between 50-64 years to protect against

pneumococcal disease.

The agency's earlier recommendation for vaccination was for

adults 65 years or older and children younger than 5, as well as

for children and adults with certain conditions.

Children younger than five and adults above 65 are at an

increased risk of contracting pneumococcal disease, which can

cause infections, including lung pneumonia, and spreads through

contact with secretions such as saliva or mucus.

The agency's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

voted 14 to one in favor of lowering the age for adult

vaccination, which the CDC said gives more people the chance to

protect against the disease at ages when the risk of infection

increases substantially.

Pneumococcal vaccines from Merck ( MRK ) and Pfizer ( PFE )

are currently available in the U.S. market.

"The recommendation ... is a significant step forward in

efforts to enhance equitable access to pneumococcal conjugate

vaccines and may improve vaccination rates," Merck ( MRK ) said in a

statement.

Merck ( MRK ) offers three approved pneumococcal vaccines, including

Vaxneuvance for individuals aged six weeks and older and

Pneumovax 23 for adults over 50 and children above two.

In June, the U.S. health regulator approved Capvaxive,

Merck's ( MRK ) next-generation vaccine that helps produce an immune

response against 21 serotypes of the bacteria, for adults aged

18 years and above.

Pfizer's ( PFE ) Prevnar 20, which protects against 20 serotypes, is

approved for individuals above six weeks of age.