Pneumococcal 20-Valent Vaccine (1 Dose)

Pneumonia ranks as the second leading cause of death in Hong Kong, following cancer. Pneumococcal infections can lead to serious health issues, including pneumonia and meningitis. Pneumococcus typically resides in the upper respiratory tract and spreads through respiratory droplets from direct oral contact or indirect contact with objects contaminated by respiratory secretions. Pneumococcus can cause various diseases, with common ones including otitis media and pneumonia. It can also lead to invasive pneumococcal diseases, such as meningitis from invading the meninges or bacteremia and sepsis from invading the bloodstream, resulting in severe or even fatal diseases, with mortality rates as high as 15% to 40%. Survivors may also experience long-term sequelae, affecting up to 50% of them.

Even healthy individuals can carry pneumococcus, and for high-risk groups, the mortality rate and risk of complications from these infections are particularly high. Therefore, vaccination against pneumococcus can effectively reduce these risks and protect public health.

There are over 90 serotypes of pneumococcus, and vaccination is one effective way to prevent invasive pneumococcal diseases. The 20-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine is suitable for adults aged 18 and above, aimed at preventing invasive diseases and pneumonia caused by pneumococcus. This vaccine covers the original 13 serotypes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 23F) and adds 7 more serotypes associated with invasive pneumococcal infections, high mortality rates, and antibiotic resistance (8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F, 33F). This makes it the conjugate pneumococcal vaccine with the most serotypes covered, approved by the FDA in 2023.

• Approved by the FDA and the European Union
• The only single-dose pneumococcal vaccine available on the market that provides long-lasting immune memory, with no need for booster shots
• Covers the most serotypes with a total of 20 pneumococcal serotypes: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F. This provides 51% and 63% more protection than the existing 15-valent and 13-valent vaccines, respectively.
• Based on an upgraded development of the 13-valent vaccine, effectively targeting 86.4% of invasive pneumococcal disease cases.

Pharmaceutical Company: Pfizer

Recommended for:

1. Infants aged 6 weeks to 23 months (2-4 doses)
2. Individuals aged 50 and above
3. High-risk individuals aged 18 and above
4. High-risk groups, including those with chronic illnesses, invasive pneumococcal disease, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, weakened immune systems, neurological disorders, smokers, and those with cochlear implants.

What are the side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine?

Redness and swelling at the injection site, fever, loss of appetite: 15-20%Other serious side effects: Rare

• Doctor's assessment before vaccination
• 1 dose of pneumococcal vaccine
• Injection procedure is handled by Registered Doctor