Pfizer has introduced a new 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) in India to protect adults from 20 different types of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The vaccine is approved for anyone aged 18 and above and is safer than any previous pneumococcal vaccine in the country. It is made to help prevent serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. The vaccine will be given as a single dose.
What is Streptococcus pneumoniae?
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that can cause serious infections in the lungs, brain, and blood. These bacteria have multiple strains, called serotypes, each with different surface structures. Some serotypes are more likely to cause severe illness than others. Vaccines like PCV20 protect against the most common and dangerous strains, reducing the overall risk of infection.
Symptoms of pneumococcal disease
Pneumococcal infections can range from mild to life-threatening. Common symptoms include:
– Fever and chills
– Cough and difficulty breathing (in pneumonia)
– Headache, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light (in meningitis)
– Chest pain
– Fatigue and confusion
Who is most at risk?
People above 50, especially those with health problems like asthma, COPD, kidney disease, diabetes, or a weak immune system, are at a much higher risk of getting serious pneumococcal infections. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with chronic heart disease are almost 10 times more likely to develop severe forms of the disease, and smokers face up to four times the risk. Diabetes also increases the chance of infection by up to six times.
How can adult vaccination help?
Meenakshi Nevatia, Managing Director of Pfizer India, in a media briefing, said, “We believe this vaccine, with its broad coverage of 20 pneumococcal disease serotypes, will address the increasing need for adult immunisation in our country.”
Health experts explain that timely vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce the burden of pneumococcal disease. This can prevent severe illness, and vaccination can also lower the chances of hospitalisation and death. With PCV20 now available in India, doctors hope more adults will consider pneumococcal vaccination as part of their preventive healthcare routine.