Apexxnar pneumococcal vaccine becomes Prevenar 20

The vaccine now benefits from an extended indication for use, which can be given to people from the age of 6 weeks

Pfizer announces that the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, formerly Apexxnar, has been renamed Prevenar 20 and now has an expanded indication for use in people as young as 6 weeks of age .

The change comes in the context of obtaining an extended license from the European Medicines Agency, which approved the renaming of the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to Prevenar 20. Initially, it was ‘ 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was approved for use in people ≥ 18 years of age, and was named Apexxnar. With the extension of the indication for use in the pediatric population, starting at 6 weeks of age, the name of the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was changed from Apexxnar to Prevenar 20.

Prevenar 20 is a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that protects against infections caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). It includes 20 pneumococcal serotypes, which are responsible for most pneumococcal diseases, such as pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media.

Prevenar 20 provides the broadest protection of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines currently approved for pediatric use and is expected to prevent more cases of pneumococcal disease than other pneumococcal vaccines.

Prevenar 20 is developed on the basis of Prevenar 13 and includes 7 additional serotypes that have been shown to be associated with antibiotic resistance and the occurrence of severe forms of the disease.

Streptococcus pneumoniae It is the leading cause of bacterial infections in children, including meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia with bacteremia, and mucosal infections such as otitis media and pneumonia without bacteremia.

About Prevenar 20

Prevenar 20 retains the same components and benefits from the same innovative manufacturing process that Pfizer has developed and perfected for over 20 years. The vaccine covers 20 pneumococcal serotypes, providing the broadest serotype coverage for a conjugate vaccine currently available. With this extended indication, the vaccine is now recommended for infants, children and adults, maintaining the same safety and efficacy profile that has been proven in clinical trials in both children and adults .

“Vaccination with Prevenar 20 is an essential step in protecting public health, providing strong protection against severe pneumococcal infections, especially in the cold season. By preventing diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis, we contribute not only to individual protection, but also to the safety of the whole community. It is a commitment that we undertake with the duty to contribute to the improvement of the health of Romanians – from babies, to teenagers, young people, parents, grandparents“, he announced Mirela JordanCountry Manager Pfizer Romania.

Availability and accessibility

Prevenar is 20 100% compensation for specific categories of chronic patients aged ≥ 19 years and

Prevenar 20 can be given and ordered on the same prescription as the flu vaccine.^2,6 Chronic patients who benefit from Prevenar 20 compensation are those with HIV/AIDS, asplenia, sickle cell disease, chronic respiratory diseases, chronic kidney diseasecochlear implant, congenital dysplasias of the inner ear, cerebrospinal fluid fistulas, oncological diseases, immunotherapy, transplantation, congenital immunity, external ventricular drainage, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic liver diseases, leukemias , lymphomas, multiple myeloma and those preparing for splenectomy.

Administrative recommendations

The Prevenar 20 vaccine can be given at the same time as standard pediatric vaccines, and in adults at the same time as the seasonal influenza vaccine. In adults, Prevenar 20 can be given on the same order as the influenza vaccine, thus providing an effective solution for extended protection against seasonal respiratory diseases (influenza virus infection and pneumococcal disease).

Prevenar 20 vaccine is available by prescription and is subject to further investigation for patient safety.

Additional information about the complete vaccination schedule with Prevenar 20, for each age group starting at 6 weeks, can be read here: CPR Agent 20.