How soon can the Prevnar 20 (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) vaccine be repeated?

Prevnar 20 Repeat Dosing Intervals

For adults aged ≥18 years, Prevnar 20 is administered as a single dose and does not need to be repeated, as it completes the pneumococcal vaccination series. 1

Standard Adult Dosing (≥18 Years)

• Prevnar 20 is given as a one-time dose in adults, with no routine repeat vaccination recommended. 1
• Once PCV20 is administered, the pneumococcal vaccination series is complete and no additional pneumococcal vaccines are needed in most scenarios. 2
• The FDA-approved dosing schedule for individuals 18 years of age and older specifies a single dose only. 1

Minimum Intervals When Prevnar 20 Follows Other Pneumococcal Vaccines

If a patient previously received other pneumococcal vaccines and now requires Prevnar 20, specific minimum intervals must be observed:

After PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23)

• Administer PCV20 at least 1 year after the last PPSV23 dose. 3, 2
• This 1-year interval applies to all adults regardless of age or immune status. 3, 2

After PCV13 (Prevnar 13)

• Administer PCV20 at least 1 year after the PCV13 dose for most adults. 3, 2
• This standard 1-year interval applies to both immunocompetent and immunocompromised adults. 2, 4

After Both PCV13 and PPSV23

• Administer PCV20 at least 5 years after the last pneumococcal vaccine dose (either PCV13 or PPSV23). 3, 2
• This extended 5-year interval is required when patients have received both vaccines previously. 3, 2

Pediatric Catch-Up Dosing (15 Months Through 17 Years)

For children and adolescents previously vaccinated with a lower-valency pneumococcal conjugate vaccine:

• Administer a single dose of Prevnar 20 at least 8 weeks after the last dose of the lower valency pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. 1
• This shorter 8-week interval applies specifically to the pediatric catch-up schedule for those 15 months through 17 years of age. 1

Special Population: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT)

The only scenario where Prevnar 20 is given as multiple doses:

• HSCT recipients require a 4-dose series of PCV20, starting 3-6 months after transplant. 2
• The first 3 doses are given 4 weeks apart. 2
• The fourth dose is administered at least 6 months after the third dose or at least 12 months after HSCT, whichever is later. 2

Critical Clinical Pearls

• Do not give additional pneumococcal vaccines after PCV20 administration - the series is complete. 2, 4
• The 8-week interval for immunocompromised adults applies to PCV15 followed by PPSV23, not to repeat PCV20 dosing. 3, 4
• Prevnar 20 should not be mixed with other vaccines in the same syringe. 1
• There is no routine booster schedule for PCV20 in adults - unlike PPSV23, which may require a second dose 5 years later in certain high-risk populations, PCV20 is a one-time vaccination. 2, 5

Common Pitfall to Avoid

The most important pitfall is confusing the intervals between different pneumococcal vaccines with the concept of "repeating" Prevnar 20. Prevnar 20 itself is not repeated in adults - the intervals discussed in guidelines refer to how long to wait after other pneumococcal vaccines (PPSV23, PCV13, PCV15) before giving the single dose of PCV20. 3, 2, 1