pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide

Pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide is the active immunizing antigen in the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), marketed under the brand name Pneumovax 23. Developed and manufactured by Merck, this vaccine contains purified capsular polysaccharides from 23 distinct serotypes of *Streptococcus pneumoniae* (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19A, 19F, 20, 22F, 23F, and 33F). Unlike conjugate vaccines, PPSV23 is an unconjugated polysaccharide vaccine that stimulates a T-cell-independent humoral immune response, inducing type-specific antibodies that enhance opsonization, phagocytosis, and killing of pneumococci. It is indicated for active immunization to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia in adults aged 65 and older, as well as individuals aged 2 and older with specific chronic or immunocompromising conditions.

Brand names

PneumovaxPneumovax 23Pneumovax23Pneumovax-23Pnu-Immune 23Pnu-Immune23Pnu-Immune-23

Other names

PPSV23PPSV-23PPSV 23PPV23PPV-23PPV 23Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide antigenpneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccinepneumococcal polysaccharide vaccinepneumococcal vaccine polyvalent