Natal Begins Pneumo 20 Rollout for Young Children

The municipal health department of Natal started administering the new Pneumo 20 vaccine on Monday, 13 May. The first batch of 1,500 doses is being distributed gradually to health units across the city’s five districts and to extra vaccination sites at Midway Mall and Partage Norte Shopping.

Pneumo 20, which covers 20 pneumococcal serotypes, will replace the older Pneumo 10 in the public schedule. It is aimed at children under five who have not completed the pneumococcal series. During the transition a mixed schedule will be used: a dose of Pneumo 20 at two months, Pneumo 10 at four months and a Pneumo 20 booster at twelve months.

Health officials conducted training for staff in the five districts before the launch and expect all vaccination rooms to be fully stocked by the end of the week.