Pneumococcal Disease: PCV & PPSV Vaccines

Burden of pneumococcal disease across age groups, the different pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV7, PCV13, PCV15, PCV20), serotype coverage, and effectiveness data.

Bacterial Vaccines Available All Ages

Disease Overview & Burden

Pneumococcal disease is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) bacteria. It causes a range of illnesses from mild ear infections to severe pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections (sepsis).

Pneumococcus is a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia in adults and otitis media (ear infection) in children. The bacteria can also cause meningitis, particularly dangerous in young children and older adults.

U.S. Disease Burden

  • ~150,000 hospitalizations for pneumococcal pneumonia annually
  • ~3,000 cases of pneumococcal meningitis annually
  • ~5,000 deaths from pneumococcal disease annually
  • Highest risk: children <5 and adults >65

Pneumococcal Vaccines: Evolution of PCVs

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have evolved significantly since the first licensed in 2000, with each generation covering more serotypes.

PCV7 (Prevnar®)

2000

Covered 7 serotypes (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F). Introduced dramatic decline in invasive pneumococcal disease caused by these serotypes in children.

PCV13 (Prevnar 13®)

2010

Added 6 additional serotypes (1, 3, 5, 6A, 7F, 19A). Now covers serotypes causing majority of childhood pneumococcal disease in U.S.

PCV15 (Vaxneuvance®)

2021

Adds 2 additional serotypes (22F, 33F) beyond PCV13. Covers approximately 75% of invasive pneumococcal disease in U.S. adults.

PCV20 (Prevnar 20®)

2021

Adds 7 additional serotypes (8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F, 33F) to PCV13. Single vaccine can provide broader coverage than PCV15 + PPSV23.

Effectiveness & Current ACIP Recommendations

Vaccine Effectiveness

  • PCV13: 75-90% effective against invasive disease from vaccine serotypes in children
  • PPSV23: 60-70% effective in adults against invasive disease
  • Significant herd immunity effect observed after childhood PCV programs

Current Recommendations

  • Children: 4-dose PCV13 or PCV15 series at 2, 4, 6, 12-15 months
  • Adults 65+: PCV20 alone OR PCV15 followed by PPSV23
  • High-risk adults: PCV15 + PPSV23 or PCV20 alone

Impact of Vaccination Programs

99%
Reduction in invasive disease from vaccine serotypes in children
45%
Reduction in hospitalizations for all-cause pneumonia in seniors
90%+
Reduction in antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal infections

Sources & Citations

Related Pages