Pneumovax 23

Pneumovax 23 is a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) developed and manufactured by Merck. It consists of a mixture of highly purified capsular polysaccharides from 23 different serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which together account for the majority of invasive pneumococcal disease. The vaccine works by inducing a T-cell independent B-cell response, leading to the production of type-specific antibodies that enhance the opsonization, phagocytosis, and killing of pneumococci by phagocytic cells. It is FDA-approved for active immunization for the prevention of pneumococcal disease in individuals 50 years of age or older and those 2 years of age or older who are at increased risk. The University of California, Davis, has specifically investigated the vaccine's immunologic efficacy in adult trauma patients with splenic injuries (nonoperative, embolized, or splenectomized) to determine the optimal management of their increased infection risk.

Brand names

Pneumovax 23Pneumovax23Pneumovax-23Pneumovax

Other names

23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccinePPSV23PPSV-23PPSV 23pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent