A new pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate vaccine by Pfizer, PREVNAR 20™, has been approved for adults by the FDA in efforts to strengthen the prevention of disease and pneumonia caused by 20 Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) serotypes. The authorized vaccine not only includes capsular polysaccharide conjugates for the 13 serotypes present in Prevnar 13®, (a vaccine to combat pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate – diphtheria CRM197 protein), but also comprises capsular polysaccharide conjugates for seven other serotypes that have led to cases with higher fatality. The FDA based its approval on data from Phase I and II trials as well as three Phase III studies trials conducted by Pfizer, with Phase III including more than 6,000 adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will be updating its guidance on pneumococcal vaccines in October.
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