What pneumococcal (Prevnar 13 (13‑valent conjugate) and Pneumovax 23 (23‑valent polysaccharide)) and influenza vaccine brands (Fluzone (influenza vaccine), Fluarix (influenza vaccine), Afluria (influenza vaccine), Flublok (recombinant influenza vaccine), Fluzone High‑Dose (high‑dose influenza vaccine), Flucelvax (cell‑based influenza vaccine), FluMist (live attenuated influenza vaccine)) are available for adults?

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Last updated: September 19, 2026 • View editorial policy

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Available Pneumococcal and Influenza Vaccine Brands for Adults

Pneumococcal Vaccines

For adults, the currently available pneumococcal vaccines include PCV13 (Prevnar 13), PCV15 (VAXNEUVANCE), PCV20 (Prevnar 20), PCV21 (CAPVAXIVE), and PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23). 1, 2

Conjugate Vaccines (PCVs)

PCV13 (Prevnar 13): 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine covering serotypes 1,3,4,5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F 3
PCV15 (VAXNEUVANCE): 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 1
PCV20 (Prevnar 20): 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 1, 2
PCV21 (CAPVAXIVE): 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 2

Polysaccharide Vaccine

PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23): 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 4, 1

Current Recommendations (2024)

As of October 2024, ACIP recommends a single dose of PCV for all PCV-naïve adults aged ≥50 years, with options including PCV20 or PCV21 alone, or PCV15 in series with PPSV23 2. This represents an expansion from the previous age-based recommendation that began at age 65 years 1.

For adults aged 19-49 years, PCVs are recommended only for those with specific risk conditions (immunocompromising conditions, chronic medical conditions) 1.

Influenza Vaccines

Multiple influenza vaccine brands are available for adults in the United States, including both inactivated and live attenuated formulations.

Standard-Dose Inactivated Vaccines

Fluzone: Standard inactivated influenza vaccine 3
Fluarix: Inactivated influenza vaccine 4
Afluria: Inactivated influenza vaccine 4
Flucelvax: Cell-based inactivated influenza vaccine 4

Specialized Formulations

Fluzone High-Dose: High-dose inactivated influenza vaccine specifically formulated for older adults 4
Flublok: Recombinant influenza vaccine (does not use eggs in production) 4

Live Attenuated Vaccine

FluMist: Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) administered intranasally 4

Annual Vaccination Schedule

The ACIP recommends annual influenza vaccination for all adults, with either inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) or recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) 4. The live attenuated vaccine (LAIV/FluMist) is also an option for eligible adults, though it has age and medical condition restrictions.

Coadministration Considerations

Pneumococcal vaccines can be safely administered concomitantly with influenza vaccines. PCV13 has been studied with both trivalent and quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines, demonstrating acceptable safety profiles and noninferior immune responses 3, 5. When administering vaccines concomitantly, use different syringes and different injection sites 3.

Important caveat: In adults previously vaccinated with PPSV23, coadministration of PCV13 with quadrivalent influenza vaccine resulted in generally lower pneumococcal immune responses compared to PCV13 given alone, though responses remained noninferior 5. This should not preclude coadministration when clinically appropriate.

References

Guideline

pneumococcal vaccine for adults aged ≥19 years: recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices, united states, 2023.

MMWR Recommendations and Reports, 2023

Research

Expanded Recommendations for Use of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines Among Adults Aged ≥50 Years: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2024.

MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 2025

Drug

Official FDA Drug Label For Prevnar 13 (IM)

FDA, 2026

Guideline

Annals of Internal Medicine, 2020

Research

Coadministration of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate and quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines in adults previously immunized with polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine 23: a randomized clinical trial.

Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics, 2019

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.