Prevnar20 (PCV20)

This vaccine protects against pneumococcal disease

Ingredients:

Active ingredients:

Purified sugars from the capsule (outside) of 20 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F). In order to help the vaccine create an immune response, these sugars are conjugated (attached) to a protein from diphtheria called CRM197 carrier protein.

Inactive ingredients:
Amounts are based on a 0.5 mL dose

Adjuvants: strengthen the immune response to the vaccine

Salts: help maintain the stability and pH of the vaccine

Other Stabilizers:

Relevant Terms

Adjuvant: a compound added to some vaccines to strengthen the immune response
Antibody: a protein made by the immune system in response to a foreign particle (antigen). These proteins circulate in the blood and help defend the body against the substance.
Antigen: This is any substance that triggers the immune system to create antibodies. For example, allergens such as pollen are antigens.
Conjugate: Attaching an antigen to a protein in order to improve the protection the vaccine provides.
Emulsifier: a substance that helps to keep the ingredients mixed together
pH: a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is. The scale ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic). A pH of 7 is neutral.
Serotype: a group of strains within a species that share a particular type of surface structure.

Sources