What are the guidelines for Prevnar 20 (Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) administration?

From the Guidelines

Prevnar 20 (pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate vaccine) is recommended for adults aged 65 and older and for adults 19-64 with certain risk factors, including chronic medical conditions, immunocompromising conditions, or lifestyle factors like smoking, as stated in the most recent guidelines from 2024 1. The vaccine is administered as a single intramuscular injection, typically in the deltoid muscle. For most adults 65 and older, a single dose of Prevnar 20 is sufficient without the need for additional pneumococcal vaccines. Some key points to consider:

• Adults 19-64 with qualifying conditions should receive one dose, with some high-risk individuals potentially needing additional pneumococcal vaccination based on their specific health status.
• If a person has previously received other pneumococcal vaccines, they should wait at least one year before getting Prevnar 20, as per the guidelines 1.
• The vaccine helps prevent invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia by protecting against 20 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, offering broader coverage than previous pneumococcal vaccines.
• Common side effects include injection site pain, muscle aches, fatigue, and headache, which typically resolve within a few days.
• The vaccine should not be given to individuals with severe allergic reactions to any component of Prevnar 20 or to diphtheria toxoid. It's essential to follow the guidelines and consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action for each individual, considering their specific health status and risk factors, as outlined in the guidelines from 2024 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

For intramuscular administration only. 2.3 Vaccination Schedule for Individuals 6 Weeks Through 15 Months of Age Administer Prevnar 20 as a 4-dose series at 2,4,6, and 12 through 15 months of age (and at least 2 months after the third dose). 2.4 Catch-Up Vaccination Schedule for Unvaccinated Individuals 7 Months Through 17 Years of Age Individuals 7 months through 17 years of age who have never received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine may receive Prevnar 20 according to the schedule in Table 1: 2.5 Catch-Up Vaccination Schedule for Individuals Previously Vaccinated With One or More Doses of a Lower Valency Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Administer a single dose of Prevnar 20 to individuals 15 months through 17 years of age previously vaccinated with one or more doses of a lower valency pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 2.6 Vaccination Schedule for Individuals 18 Years of Age and Older Prevnar 20 is administered as a single dose.

The guidelines for Prevnar 20 are as follows:

• Infants 6 weeks through 15 months of age: 4-dose series at 2,4,6, and 12 through 15 months of age.
• Unvaccinated individuals 7 months through 17 years of age: according to the schedule in Table 1.
• Individuals 15 months through 17 years of age previously vaccinated with a lower valency pneumococcal conjugate vaccine: single dose of Prevnar 20.
• Individuals 18 years of age and older: single dose of Prevnar 20 2.

From the Research

Prevnar20 Guidelines

• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends a single dose of PCV for all PCV-naïve adults aged ≥50 years, which includes the use of Prevnar20 (PCV20) 3.
• PCV20 is one of the options for adults aged ≥65 years, as well as for those aged 19-64 years with risk conditions for pneumococcal disease who have not received a PCV or whose vaccination history is unknown 3.
• The ACIP also recommends the use of PCV20 alone or 15-valent PCV (PCV15) in series with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) for all adults aged ≥65 years, and for adults aged 19-64 years with certain underlying medical conditions or other risk factors 4.

Vaccination Schedule

• The vaccination schedule for Prevnar20 (PCV20) is a single dose for all PCV-naïve adults aged ≥50 years 3.
• For adults who started their pneumococcal vaccination series with 13-valent PCV (PCV13), there are additional recommendations for use of PCV20 or 21-valent PCV (PCV21) 3.

Efficacy and Safety

• The efficacy of PCV13, which is similar to PCV20, in preventing vaccine-type pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease in adults 65 years of age or older has been demonstrated in clinical trials 5.
• The safety profile of PCV20 is expected to be similar to that of PCV13, with local reactions being more common in the vaccine group 5.