Pneumococcal 20-Valent Conjugate Vaccine Now Available for Canada's Adults

Pfizer Canada ULC recently announced that the PREVNAR 20 vaccine is now available in Canada to prevent pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease (including sepsis, meningitis, bacteremic pneumonia, pleural empyema, and bacteremia) caused by the 20 Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in the vaccine in adults.

Streptococcus pneumoniae infections are a significant cause of illness and death worldwide, says the U.S. CDC.

Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a primary cause of bacterial community-acquired pneumonia in Canada, with an increased risk in individuals with chronic medical conditions and age (65+).

The overall case fatality rate of bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia is 6.4% and is higher among older adults.

"We are pleased to build on Pfizer's legacy in the innovation and development of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines to help protect Canadians who are most at-risk of pneumococcal disease," said Fabien Paquette Vaccines Canada Lead, Pfizer, in a press release issued on July 21, 2022.

"PREVNAR 20 (Apexxnar) is significant in our ongoing fight against pneumococcal disease, including pneumonia in adults, and helps protect against disease-causing serotypes that cause potentially serious respiratory infections."

Approved by Health Canada on May 9, 2022, PREVNAR 20 includes capsular polysaccharide conjugates for the 13 serotypes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F) already included in PREVNAR 13 (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]).

The vaccine also contains capsular polysaccharide conjugates for seven additional serotypes (8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F, and 33F) that cause invasive pneumococcal disease and have been associated with high case-fatality rates ]antibiotic resistance, and/or meningitis.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), which is contracted outside of a healthcare setting, accounts for the vast majority of pneumonia cases.

And CAP is a leading cause of death due to infection in the USA and Europe, with the death rate in older adults often exceeding 10%

"This vaccine broadens the protection against disease-causing serotypes that lead to Streptococcus pneumoniae infections and marks an important step forward in protecting the health of all Canadians, especially those at higher risk due to comorbidities, immunocompromising conditions, or older age," commented Dr. Angel Chu, Vice Chair of Immunize Canada and an infectious diseases physician at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary.

PREVNAR 20 builds on Pfizer's legacy of more than two decades of experience developing and supplying innovative pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.

Additional pneumococcal vaccine insights are posted on this weblink.

Note: According to the U.S. CDC's weekly report on July 22, 2022, pneumonia remains a leading cause of fatalities in the USA.