The logo of Pfizer Korea’s ‘Prevnar 20’. / Photo provided by Pfizer Korea. “Pfizer Korea’s 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, ‘Prevnar 20’, has received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in Korea,” “According to Pfizer Korea on the 4th, Prevnar 20 was approved by the MFDS on October 31. It is the first new pneumococcal vaccine introduced by Pfizer Korea in about 14 years since the approval of the conjugate vaccine ‘Prevnar 13’ in 2010. It has the broadest serotype coverage among the conjugate vaccines approved in Korea.”
“Prevnar 20 adds seven serotypes (8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F, 33F) to the previously supplied Prevnar 13. It is described by the company as the next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine from Prevnar, which has been available for over 20 years.”
“According to the MFDS approval, Prevnar 20 can be administered to infants, children, adolescents, and adults from 6 weeks of age to under 18, as well as to adults aged 18 and over. Prevnar 20 is used for: △ Prevention of invasive disease, pneumonia, and acute otitis media caused by pneumococcus (serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, 33F) in those from 6 weeks to under 18 years old △ Prevention of invasive disease and pneumonia caused by pneumococcus (same serotypes) in those aged 18 and over.”
“Pneumococcus is a leading cause of bacteremia, meningitis, otitis media, and pneumonia. A serotype analysis of 67 strains of pneumococcal invasive infections in Korean children and adolescents between 2018 and July 2021 revealed that the most frequently identified serotype was 10A, and the serotypes included in Prevnar 20 accounted for about 54%.”
“Song Chan-woo, Vice President of the Primary Care division at Pfizer Korea, stated, “Pfizer Korea has been striving to improve public health through the prevention of pneumococcal diseases nationwide, maintaining the top sales position in the domestic pneumococcal vaccine market for 15 consecutive years with Prevnar 13. We are pleased to introduce Prevnar®20 this year and will collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance vaccine accessibility more rapidly.”