
Pneumococcal disease is a serious illness that can lead to bacteremia, meningitis, and pneumonia, especially in older adults. The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) are two types of pneumococcal vaccines used to prevent this disease. While both vaccines aim to induce immunity against common serotypes of pneumococcal bacteria, there are key differences in their design and recommended usage. This paragraph will explore the similarities and differences between these two vaccines and provide an overview of their respective roles in preventing pneumococcal disease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Pneumococcal 23 = PPSV23 (23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine) |
| Pneumococcal 13 = PCV13 (13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) | |
| Number of serotypes | Pneumococcal 23 = 23 serotypes |
| Pneumococcal 13 = 13 serotypes | |
| Recommended Age | Pneumococcal 23 = Adults aged 65 years and older |
| Pneumococcal 13 = Adults aged 19 years and older with immunocompromising conditions | |
| Pneumococcal 13 = Children aged 60-71 months with underlying medical conditions | |
| Pneumococcal 13 = Children younger than 5 years old | |
| Administration | Pneumococcal 23 and 13 should not be co-administered. Minimum interval between sequential administration is 8 weeks. |
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What You'll Learn
- PCV13 and PPSV23 are the two leading vaccines targeted against S. pneumoniae
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
- The minimum interval between sequential administration of PCV13 and PPSV23 is 8 weeks
- PCV13 was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use among adults aged ≥50 years
- PCV13 and PPSV23 have substantial overlap in the antigens contained within each vaccine

PCV13 and PPSV23 are the two leading vaccines targeted against S. pneumoniae
Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria that commonly live in the nose and throat and can cause mild infections such as ear infections and serious infections such as pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is the most commonly identified pathogen in community-acquired pneumonia. In the United States, S. pneumoniae is responsible for 500,000 cases of pneumonia and 50,000 cases of bacteremia annually, with a mortality rate of 5–7% and 20%, respectively. Pneumococcal disease in all its forms is estimated to cause 1.6 million deaths globally each year.
PCV13 is a conjugate vaccine that combines capsular polysaccharides with a protein carrier. This combination elicits a T-cell-dependent immune response, producing memory B-cells and reducing the carriage of bacteria in the respiratory tract. PCV13 has been shown to be effective in preventing vaccine-type community-acquired pneumonia and antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal infections caused by vaccine serotypes.
PPSV23, on the other hand, contains capsular polysaccharide antigens that elicit a T-cell-independent antibody response. The antibodies produced boost the activity of phagocytic cells, inducing the killing of pneumococcus.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has made recommendations for the use of PCV13 and PPSV23 in different age groups and risk categories. For adults aged ≥65 years who have not previously received a pneumococcal vaccine or whose vaccination history is unknown, the recommended sequence is a dose of PCV13 followed by a dose of PPSV23 after 6–12 months. The minimum interval between the administration of PCV13 and PPSV23 is 8 weeks.
For children younger than 5 years old, the CDC recommends a 4-dose PCV series (PCV15 or PCV20), with one dose administered at each of the specified ages. If PCV15 is used, a dose of PPSV23 is given one year later. However, if PCV20 or PCV21 is used, a dose of PPSV23 is not indicated.
In summary, PCV13 and PPSV23 are the two primary vaccines used to prevent pneumococcal disease caused by S. pneumoniae. They differ in their design and immune response mechanisms, and their administration is guided by recommendations from organizations such as ACIP and CDC, taking into account factors such as age and risk factors.
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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
The ACIP develops written recommendations for the routine administration of vaccines to both pediatric and adult populations, along with vaccination schedules regarding appropriate timing, dosage, and contraindications. The committee holds three regular meetings each year, and the meeting minutes are available on the ACIP website.
In terms of pneumococcal vaccines, the ACIP has made several recommendations over the years. In 2000, the first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was licensed in the US, containing seven serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. In 2010, a new 13-valent product, PCV13, was licensed, adding six new serotypes. In response, the ACIP recommended that healthcare providers transition from using PCV7 to PCV13 for routine vaccination of children.
In 2010, the ACIP approved recommendations that all persons should be vaccinated with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) at age 65. Two years later, the committee made recommendations for the use of PCV13 and PPSV23 for adults aged 19 and above with immunocompromising conditions. In 2022, the ACIP recommended PCV15 and PCV20 as vaccination options for adults aged 65 and older, and for adults aged 19 to 64 with certain medical conditions or risk factors for pneumococcal disease. The ACIP also recommended that PCV15 should be used in series with PPSV23, administered one year later.
The ACIP's recommendations are crucial in shaping US vaccination policy. When the CDC Director adopts the ACIP's recommendations, they become official CDC guidelines, influencing the decisions of many private insurers.
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The minimum interval between sequential administration of PCV13 and PPSV23 is 8 weeks
Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria that commonly live in the nose and throat and can cause mild to serious infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a leading cause of serious illness, including meningitis and pneumonia, among older adults in the United States.
The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) are two different types of pneumococcal vaccines. PCV13 was first licensed in the United States in 2010 and contains 13 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, adding six new serotypes to the previous 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7). PPSV23, on the other hand, is a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the CDC have provided recommendations for the sequential administration of PCV13 and PPSV23. The minimum interval between the two vaccines is eight weeks. This means that if PCV13 is administered first, PPSV23 should be given at least eight weeks later. This recommendation is for adults aged 65 years and older who have not previously received a pneumococcal vaccine or have immunocompromising conditions.
For children, the CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for those younger than five years old. The recommended number of doses and intervals between doses will depend on the child's age when vaccination begins. Unvaccinated children between the ages of 24 and 71 months should receive a single dose of PCV13 or PCV15. If a child has not received any doses of PCV vaccine, one dose of PCV13 or PCV15 should be administered before PPSV23, with the latter given at least eight weeks after the initial PCV dose.
It is important to note that the interval between PCV13 and PPSV23 may vary depending on age, risk factors, and the order in which the vaccines are given. For example, while ACIP recommends a minimum interval of eight weeks for adults with immunocompromising conditions, they also suggest a longer interval of one year between PCV13 and PPSV23 for healthy adults aged 65 and older.
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PCV13 was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use among adults aged ≥50 years
Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria that commonly live in the nose and throat and cause mild to serious infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a leading infectious cause of serious illness, including bacteremia, meningitis, and pneumonia, among older adults in the United States.
The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) are the two types of pneumococcal vaccines used in the United States. Each individual vaccine helps protect against different serotypes of pneumococcal bacteria.
In 2010, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved the use of PCV13 for children aged 6 weeks through 71 months for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) caused by the 13 pneumococcal serotypes included in the vaccine. PCV13 was initially recommended for routine use in infants and children aged 2 through 59 months. The recommendations were expanded with the licensure of PCV13 to include vaccination of children aged 60 through 71 months with underlying medical conditions.
In late 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved PCV13 for use among adults aged 50 years and older. This approval was based on the vaccine's ability to prevent pneumonia and invasive disease caused by PCV13 serotypes in this age group. The safety of PCV13 in adults was evaluated in approximately 6,000 PPSV23-naive and PPSV23-experienced adults aged 50 years and older. The overall incidence of serious adverse events reported within one month of an initial study dose of PCV13 ranged from 0.2% to 1.7%. From one to six months after the initial study dose, the overall incidence of serious adverse events ranged from 1.2% to 5.8% among those vaccinated with PCV13. Common adverse reactions reported with PCV13 included pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, limitation of movement of the injected arm, fatigue, headache, chills, decreased appetite, generalized muscle pain, and joint pain.
In 2012, ACIP made recommendations for the use of PCV13 and PPSV23 for adults aged 19 years and older with immunocompromising conditions. In 2014, the results of a randomized placebo-controlled trial showing the efficacy of PCV13 against community-acquired pneumonia among approximately 85,000 adults aged 65 years and older were presented to ACIP. The evidence supporting PCV13 vaccination in adults was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework and determined to be of moderate level.
While PCV13 is approved for use in adults aged 50 years and older, ACIP does not recommend routine revaccinations with this vaccine due to insufficient data regarding clinical benefit and safety. Instead, ACIP recommends a routine single dose of PPSV23 for adults aged 65 years and older. However, shared clinical decision-making is recommended regarding the administration of PCV13 to persons aged 65 years and older who do not have an immunocompromising condition, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or cochlear implant and who have not previously received PCV13. If a decision is made to administer PCV13, it should be given first, followed by PPSV23 at least one year later.
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PCV13 and PPSV23 have substantial overlap in the antigens contained within each vaccine
Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria that commonly live in the nose and throat and cause both mild (ear infections) and serious infections (pneumonia). Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) remains a leading infectious cause of serious illness, including bacteremia, meningitis, and pneumonia, among older adults in the United States.
The two leading vaccines targeted against S. pneumoniae are the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved revised recommendations that all persons should be vaccinated with PPSV23 at age 65 years. In 2012, ACIP made recommendations for the use of PCV13 and PPSV23 for adults aged ≥19 years with immunocompromising conditions.
PCV13 contains antigens from 13 serotypes, 12 of which are common to PPSV23. The other major difference between the two vaccines is their design. PPSV23 contains capsular polysaccharide antigens that elicit a T-cell-independent antibody response.
The minimum interval between sequential administration of PCV13 and PPSV23 is 8 weeks. PPSV23 can be given later than 6–12 months after PCV13 if this window is missed.
The two vaccines have been studied in combination, and the results show an adequate safety profile for PCV13 in series with PPSV23. One study revealed an improved immune response with the addition of PCV13 to PPSV23, while another showed that PCV13 was effective in preventing vaccine-type community-acquired pneumonia.
In 2022, the CDC published recommendations for PCV15 and PCV20 as pneumococcal vaccination options for all adults age 65 and older and for adults age 19 through 64 with certain medical conditions or other risk factors for pneumococcal disease. When PCV15 is used routinely, it should be given in series with PPSV23 one year later.
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Frequently asked questions
Pneumococcal 23, or PPSV23, is a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Pneumococcal 13, or PCV13, is a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
PPSV23 contains antigens from 23 common serotypes, while PCV13 contains antigens from 13 serotypes. PCV13 is a conjugate vaccine that combines capsular polysaccharides with a protein carrier.
The CDC recommends that adults 65 years or older have the option to get PCV20 or PCV21, or to not get additional pneumococcal vaccines. They can get PCV20 or PCV21 if they have received PCV13 at any age. If PPSV23 is not available, one dose of PCV20 or PCV21 may be given.











































