Brazil rolls out 20‑valent pneumococcal vaccine in multiple cities

Brazil's public health system is expanding the 20‑valent pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumo 20) across several municipalities and states. The new immuniser protects against 20 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, offering broader coverage than the previous Pneumo 10 and preventing severe illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis and otitis media.

In Nova Iguaçu, vaccinations for children up to five years began on 24 June, with the municipal health secretary Luiz Carlos Nobre Cavalcanti noting that “the arrival of Pneumo 20 represents an important advance for the protection of our children.” Campo Grande started administering the vaccine after receiving an initial 2,400 doses, while Florianópolis now offers it in most city health centers, the Policlínica da Mulher e da Criança, and the SESC Prainha. Mato Grosso's health department distributed 14,700 doses to municipal health offices, and Juazeiro do Norte made the vaccine freely available in all basic health units after national approval.

The vaccine targets children from two months to four years, indigenous children without prior conjugated pneumococcal vaccination, institutionalised seniors over 60, and individuals with special clinical conditions. It replaces older formulations in the National Immunization Calendar and is provided at no cost through the SUS, despite a private‑market price exceeding R$ 500 per dose.