Brazil launches 20‑valent Pneumo 20 vaccine for children

Pneumo 20 20‑valent pneumococcal vaccine Brazil SUS rollout child immunisation Streptococcus pneumoniae

Brazil's public health system (SUS) has incorporated the 20‑valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Pneumo 20, into the national immunisation schedule. The new vaccine protects against 20 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, aiming to reduce severe illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, otitis and invasive infections.

The first regional allocations began in June 2026. Espírito Santo received 10,800 doses, with municipalities slated to start vaccinating children aged 2 months to just under 5 years on 11 June. Mato Grosso do Sul obtained an initial batch of 8,300 doses for distribution to its municipalities, while Santa Catarina received 20,170 doses for the same purpose. Health officials, including PEI technical reference Danielle Grillo, State Health Secretariat coordinator Ana Paula Goldfinger, and DIVE director João Augusto Fuck, highlighted the vaccine’s expanded coverage and its role in lowering hospitalisations and deaths.

During the transition period the schedule calls for a dose of Pneumo 20 at 2 months, a dose of the older 10‑valent vaccine at 4 months, and a Pneumo 20 booster at 12 months. After the existing 10‑valent stock is exhausted, the programme will use Pneumo 20 exclusively. In addition to children, the vaccine will be offered to indigenous peoples, institutionalised seniors, and individuals with special clinical conditions through the CRIE network.