Does the 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine work for U.S. children?
The 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15) is approved for use in U.S. children from 6 weeks up to 17 years of age. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends this vaccine as an option for routine vaccination in this age group 9. It protects against 15 specific serotypes of the bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease, including the 13 types covered by the older PCV13 vaccine plus two additional ones 9.
What the research says
A phase 3 study compared the safety and immune response of the 15-valent vaccine (V114) against the standard 13-valent vaccine (PCV13) in healthy infants 8. The research found that the 15-valent vaccine met non-inferiority criteria for all 15 serotypes based on antibody response rates and concentrations 8. This means it produced immune responses comparable to the previous standard vaccine for the shared serotypes while adding protection against the new ones 8.
The vaccine contains the same 13 serotypes found in Prevnar 13 plus serotypes 22F and 33F 9. It uses a CRM197 carrier protein to link the bacterial sugars to the immune system 9. Studies show that post-licensure evaluations confirm that pneumococcal conjugate vaccines provide protective effects against pneumococcal disease in children 1.
What to ask your doctor
- Is the 15-valent vaccine the right choice for my child's vaccination schedule?
- Does my child need the 20-valent vaccine instead of the 15-valent one?
- Are there any specific health conditions that would change the recommendation for my child?
- How does the 15-valent vaccine compare to the 13-valent vaccine in terms of protection?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Infectious Disease and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.