Brazil expands free Pneumo 20 vaccine for children

The municipality of Contenda in Brazil has started administering the first doses of the Pneumo 20 vaccine to children, replacing the older Pneumo 10 as part of a gradual national transition. The rollout follows the National Immunization Program schedule, targeting children from two months of age through five years, with doses adjusted based on previous vaccination history.

In the state of Maranhão, the health secretariat has made the Pneumo 20 vaccine available free of charge in all 217 municipalities after receiving 20,550 doses from the Ministry of Health. The program covers children aged two months up to four years, eleven months and 29 days, using a phased schedule that combines Pneumo 20 and Pneumo 10 doses depending on age and prior immunization. Parents are urged to bring vaccination cards to local health units to ensure children receive the appropriate doses.