The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made a major change on age recommendations for a common vaccine.

For the first time, the CDC said adults as young as 50 should get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, a significant reduction from the previous recommendation that people get the shot at age 65.

The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis, as well as other illnesses such as sinusitis and ear infections. It’s recommended for children younger than 5, older people and people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from pneumococcal infections.

The vaccine change is an effort to reduce the number of people who become ill – some who have to be hospitalized – due to pneumonia.

“Lowering the age for pneumococcal vaccination gives more adults the opportunity to protect themselves from pneumococcal disease at the age when risk of infection substantially increases. Pneumococcal bacteria can cause serious illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections, and older adults are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease,” the CDC said in a statement.

People spread pneumococcal bacteria to others through direct contact with respiratory secretions, like saliva or mucus. Symptoms typically appear up to three days after the bacteria enters the body with patients reporting chest pain, cough, fever and chills and rapid or difficulty breathing. Older adults may also experience confusion or low alertness.

Serious infections can result in sepsis, long-term breathing problems or even death.

Vaccination is considered the best way to prevent the infection, the CDC said.