Pfizer's pneumococcal vaccine, 바카라사이트 유니벳 20, broadens serotype coverage, aiming to prevent invasive disease
[by Sung, Jae Jun] Pfizer Korea announced on August 5 that its 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, 바카라사이트 유니벳 20, will be incorporated into the National Immunization Program (NIP) as of October 1st. With this inclusion, the vaccine will be provided at no cost to infants and toddlers.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), beginning in October, children and adolescents aged two months and older will be eligible to receive a total of four free doses of 바카라사이트 유니벳 20 (administered at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, followed by one dose between 12 and 15 months) at hospitals and clinics. Additionally, infants and toddlers who have previously been immunized with the PCV13 will be eligible for cross-vaccination with 바카라사이트 유니벳 20.
The upper age limit for free vaccination among high-risk groups, including those with immunocompromising conditions, chronic diseases, and cochlear implants, will be extended from 12 to 18 years of age, with the goal of extending vaccine accessibility and providing broader benefits to adolescents.
A survey of invasive pneumococcal infections in children, conducted by the KDCA between 2018 and 2021, revealed that serotype 10A, exclusively covered by 바카라사이트 유니벳 20, was the most frequently isolated strain. Collectively, the 20 serotypes included in the vaccine accounted for approximately 51% of all identified cases.
바카라사이트 유니벳 20, a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine approved in Korea in October 2023, is indicated for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia in all age groups from six weeks of age. Compared to its predecessor, 바카라사이트 유니벳 13, the vaccine offers significantly broader serotype coverage by incorporating seven additional serotypes (8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F, and 33F).
In a global Phase 3 clinical trial conducted in healthy infants, 바카라사이트 유니벳 20 demonstrated non-inferiority to 바카라사이트 유니벳 13 with respect to the 13 shared serotypes. Additionally, the vaccine showed non-inferiority for most of the seven additional serotypes based on immunoglobulin geometric mean concentration (IgG GMC). The safety profile of 바카라사이트 유니벳 20 was comparable to that of 바카라사이트 유니벳 13.
"Prevenar 20 carries forward the legacy and clinical experience of the Prevenar series, accumulated over the past 20 years. Its incorporation into the National Immunization Program will allow Korean infants and young children to access the vaccine without financial burden," said Song Chan-woo, vice president of the Primary Care Business Unit at Pfizer Korea.
Conversely, infants and young children aged 15 months to under 5 years who have received three or more doses of 바카라사이트 유니벳 13, as well as children aged 5 years and older who have received at least one dose, are eligible to receive a single booster dose of 바카라사이트 유니벳 20, administered at an interval of at least two months. Clinical findings have also demonstrated that 바카라사이트 유니벳 20 effectively induces immune responses against the seven additional serotypes included in the formulation.