pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate vaccine

PCV20 (pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate vaccine) is a multivalent conjugate vaccine designed to provide active immunization against 20 serotypes of *Streptococcus pneumoniae*. Developed primarily by Pfizer and marketed as Prevnar 20 (or Prevenar 20), the vaccine contains capsular polysaccharides from serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F. Each polysaccharide is individually conjugated to a non-toxic mutant of diphtheria toxin carrier protein (CRM197) to enhance immunogenicity, particularly in infants and immunocompromised individuals, by inducing a T-cell dependent immune response. PCV20 was approved by the FDA in 2021 for adults and later expanded to include infants and children, providing broader coverage than its predecessor PCV13 by including seven additional serotypes (8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F, and 33F) that are significant causes of invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia. Other developers, such as Beijing Minhai Biotechnology, are also developing 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.

Brand names

Prevnar 20Prevnar20Prevnar-20Prevenar 20Prevenar20Prevenar-20

Other names

PCV 20PCV20PCV-2020-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine20-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine20vPCV