Pneumococcal 21-Valent Conjugate (PCV 21) Vaccine Recommendations for U.S. Adults

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on immunization practices (ACIP) recommends the new FDA -approved Pneumococcal 21-valent Conjugate Vaccine (CAPVAXIVE™) as an alternative to PCV15 and PCV20 for individuals aged 19 or older who have never been vaccinated with a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or have an unknown vaccination history. Additionally, PCV 21 is recommended based on shared clinical decision-making for adults aged ≥ 65 years who have received PCV13 at any age and PPSV23 on or after turning 65. While PCV21 does not include certain serotypes, such as 1, 4, and 5, which are covered by other PCV vaccines, it contains eight additional serotypes, including 15A, 15C, and 16F, that are not found in the existing PCV vaccines (see figure). This expanded coverage offers broader protection against pneumococcal disease. To learn more about the ACIP's pneumococcal vaccine recommendations, visit https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/hcp/vaccine-recommendations/index.html and Use of 21-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Among U.S. Adults: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2024.