Brazil expands Pneumo 20 vaccine access to residents over 85

Municipalities in Brazil, including Porto Alegre and Tangará, have begun administering the Pneumo 20 vaccine to residents over the age of 85. The 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine protects against 20 serotypes of the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium, which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.

In Porto Alegre, the vaccination program is being conducted through the Unified Health System (SUS). The city has a population of more than 23,900 people aged 85 and older. The vaccine was previously introduced to the SUS calendar this year for children and individuals with specific clinical conditions or comorbidities; the current phase expands access to the elderly population.

In Tangará, located in the Mid-West of Santa Catarina, local health authorities have directed interested individuals to visit the municipal Vaccine Room for guidance. The vaccine is administered as a single dose, depending on the individual's vaccination history, and aims to reduce the risk of severe complications and hospitalizations in high-risk groups.