Prevnar 20 vs Pneumovax 23: Which vaccine is right for you?

Prevnar 20 can be used by patients 6 weeks and older, including patients 65 and older, whereas Pneumovax 23 is mainly used by patients 50 years and older. However, patients 2 years and older can use Pneumovax 23 if they have an increased risk for pneumococcal disease, it is not used in children younger than 2 years of age.

Prevnar 20 and Pneumovax 23 are different types of pneumococcal vaccinations, Pneumovax 23 is a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, which means it contains a mixture of parts of the outer layer of the bacterial cells that induces an immune response against the subtypes of bacteria used. Prevnar 20 is a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) that contains the polysaccharides of bacterial cells that have been added (conjugated) to another protein so that it has a better immune response than the polysaccharide alone. Other PCV are Capvaxive (21 Serotypes) and Vaxneuvance (15 serotypes).

As Pneumovax 23 is a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, it is not used in children younger than 2 years of age as, generally, this age group has a poor antibody response to it.

Babies and children pneumococcal vaccination

CDC recommends a 4-dose PCV series (Prevnar 20 or Vaxneuvance), one dose at each of the following ages:

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 12 through 15 months

Adults 65 years or older pneumococcal vaccination

CDC Recommendation for Routine Vaccination

Administer Prevnar 20, Vaxneuvance or Capvaxive for all adults 65 years or older

• Who have never received any pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
• Whose previous vaccination history is unknown

CDC Additional vaccinations recommendations

Vaxneuvance: Additional vaccination needed

If Vaxneuvance (PCV15) is used, administer a dose of Pneumovax 23 one year later, if needed, then their pneumococcal vaccinations are complete.

The minimum interval is 8 weeks and can be considered in adults with:

• An immunocompromising condition
• A cochlear implant
• A cerebrospinal fluid leak

Related questions

• How long does a pneumonia vaccine shot last?
• Do I need a Pneumonia Vaccine?
• What Vaccines do I need if I'm over 50?

Prevnar 20 or Capvaxive: Additional vaccination not recommended

If Prevnar 20 or Capvaxive is used, a dose of Vaxneuvance isn't indicated. Regardless of which vaccine is used Prevnar 20 or Capvaxive, their pneumococcal vaccinations are complete.

Prevnar 20 Information

Type of Vaccine: pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

Number of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes : 20

FDA-approved vaccine used to prevent:

• invasive disease in individuals 6 weeks of age and older caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F.
• pneumonia (lung infections) in individuals 18 years of age and older caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F.
• otitis media (ear infections) in individuals 6 weeks through 5 years of age caused by S. pneumoniae serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F.

Doses:

• Infants and Children: Prevnar 20 as 4-dose immunization series at 2, 4, 6, and 12 through 15 months of age
• Adults (18 years of age and older): Prevnar 20 as a single dose.

Pneumovax 23 Information

Type of Vaccine: pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

Number of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes : 23

FDA-approved vaccine used to prevent:

• pneumococcal disease caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes contained in the vaccine (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19F, 19A, 20, 22F, 23F, and 33F)
• Individuals 50 years of age or older and persons aged ≥2 years who are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.

Doses:

• Single dose

Name Abbreviations used for pneumococcal vaccines

PCV15 Vaxneuvance
PCV20 Prevnar 20
PCV21 Capvaxive
PPSV23 Pneumovax 23