As Prevenar 20 has been confirmed to be included in the National Immunization Program (NIP) in October, a fierce market competition is anticipated.

The implementation has been delayed from its initial expected schedule in Q3. However, it is anticipated to shift the market for pneumococcal conjugate vaccines with the emergence of the newest version of the vaccine, following 13-valent and 15-valent vaccines.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on the 4th that Prevenar 20, which is the newest pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, will be officially introduced as part of the NIP.

Accordingly, children over two months of age and adolescents can receive free vaccinations with Prevenar 20 at medical clinics nationwide.

Prevenar 20 is a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that was approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) on October 31, 2024. Compared to the 13-valent vaccine, Prevenar 20 has added seven additional pneumococcal serotypes. Among domestically approved pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, it contains the most serotypes.

As Prevenar 20 includes common serotypes in Korea that could not be prevented using existing vaccines, its preventative effect is garnering attention.

Pneumococcus is a major bacterial pathogen that causes various diseases in infants and young children, including otitis media, pneumonia, and meningitis. Vaccination is crucial, especially as it can cause life-threatening invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in immunocompromised children.

The inclusion of Prevenar 20 in the NIP was decided after a comprehensive review by the Korea Expert Committee on Immunization Practices (KECIP) on the vaccine's safety, immunogenicity, and cost-effectiveness.

With this introduction, the number of pneumococcal vaccines supported by the NIP will increase to three.


Currently, the NIP supports the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13, Prevenar 13) and the 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15, Vaxneuvance) for pediatric pneumococcal vaccination.

The vaccination schedule for Prevenar 20 in healthy children remains the same: a total of three doses at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, followed by a booster dose at 12-15 months. Children who have already started vaccination with PCV13 can receive an interchangeable vaccination with PCV20.

For this reason, it is expected that many infants who have completed their first or second doses with PCV13 will continue the remaining schedule with PCV20.

Experts also anticipate a higher incidence of interchangeable vaccination with the newer vaccine, which offers broader protection compared to existing vaccines. However, the KDCA recommends that if vaccination begins with PCV15, the remaining doses should be completed with the same vaccine.

Additionally, PCV20 vaccination is also available for high-risk children and adolescents who are vulnerable to infection due to conditions such as immunosuppression, chronic diseases, or cochlear implants.

For high-risk children and adolescents, the vaccination schedule varies depending on their age at vaccination and previous vaccination history, so an individualized schedule must be followed.

Notably, the upper age limit for high-risk children eligible for PCV20 support has been raised from 12 to 18 years. More children and adolescents will receive national immunization benefits.


The inclusion of Prevenar 20 in the NIP is expected to intensify market competition.

The sales of Prevenar 20 for pediatric and adolescent segments will continue to be handled by Korea Vaccine, which previously managed sales of Prevenar 13.

It is widely analyzed that Pfizer Korea and Korea Vaccine, which have long maintained a dominant position with the existing 13-valent vaccine, will further expand their market dominance with the introduction of the 20-valent vaccine.

Korea Vaccine is also preparing for on-site supply and is expected to aim for rapid market penetration by emphasizing the interchangeable vaccination guidelines and product advantages.

An official from the vaccine industry stated, "An official from the vaccine industry stated, "As the NIP market for pneumococcal vaccines is being restructured, each company is actively preparing countermeasures," and added, "We believe Korea Vaccine's extensive experience will positively contribute to the rapid market establishment of Prevenar 20."