From the Research
Prevnar 20 is typically administered as a single dose for adults, with no second dose required for most people. For healthy adults aged 65 and older or adults 19-64 with certain risk factors like chronic medical conditions, immunocompromising conditions, or cigarette smoking, one dose is the complete regimen. However, some immunocompromised individuals may need additional pneumococcal vaccination based on their specific condition. The vaccine works by stimulating your immune system to produce antibodies against 20 different strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, which can cause serious infections like pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. This single-dose approach is effective because the conjugate vaccine technology helps create a strong immune memory response. If you've already received one dose of Prevnar 20, you generally don't need a second dose unless specifically recommended by your healthcare provider based on your individual health circumstances.
Key points to consider:
- The single-dose approach is effective for most adults, with no second dose required 1
- Immunocompromised individuals may need additional pneumococcal vaccination based on their specific condition 2
- The conjugate vaccine technology helps create a strong immune memory response, reducing the need for multiple doses 3
- The vaccine stimulates your immune system to produce antibodies against 20 different strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, which can cause serious infections like pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections 4
It's essential to note that while multiple studies support the single-dose approach, the most recent and highest-quality study should be prioritized when making a definitive recommendation. In this case, the study published in 2025 in the journal Seminars in respiratory and critical care medicine provides the most up-to-date information on next-generation pneumococcal vaccines for children and adults 1.