20-valent vaccine – new opportunities in the fight against pneumococcal infection in children and adults

Pneumococcal infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae poses a serious health threat worldwide, leading to high morbidity and mortality, especially among children and the elderly. Its danger lies in the variety of clinical manifestations (from non-invasive to generalized), significant economic costs of treatment, and growing resistance of the bacteria to antibiotics. There are more than 100 serotypes of pneumococcus, but most infections are caused by about 20 of them. Vaccination is the most effective way to fight this infection. Polysaccharide (PPV) and conjugate (PCV) vaccines are used for prevention. PCVs, such as Prevenar 13, are more effective and elicit a strong immune response through T-cell activation and memory cell formation, unlike PPVs, which elicit a T-independent response. In 2025, a new 20-valent conjugate vaccine, Prevenar 20, was registered In Russia. It includes all 13 serotypes of Prevenar 13 and 7 additional ones, thus expanding protection. The vaccine is approved for children older than 6 weeks and adults 18 years of age and older. Clinical studies have shown that Prevenar 20 elicits an immune response comparable to existing vaccines Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23 and has a high safety profile. This new vaccine represents a significant step forward in the fight against pneumococcal infection, offering broader protection and potentially reducing morbidity, especially among high-risk groups. Long-term efficacy and safety will be further evaluated in post-marketing studies.

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