New Pneumococcal Vaccine to Be Provided Free for Children Starting in October

KDCA Introduces 20-Valent Pneumococcal Vaccine to National Immunization Program
Vaccination Age for High-Risk Groups Expanded from 12 to 18 Years

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on August 4 that starting from October 1, 2025, the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) will be newly introduced into the National Immunization Program (NIP), and vaccinations will be administered to children and adolescents aged two months and older.

Pneumococcus is a major bacterial pathogen that causes various diseases such as otitis media, pneumonia, and meningitis in infants and young children. In particular, it can cause invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), which poses a life-threatening risk to children with weakened immune systems, making vaccination extremely important. Currently, the National Immunization Program (NIP) supports childhood pneumococcal vaccination with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15).

The newly introduced PCV20 was approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in October 2024. In addition to the 15 serotypes included in PCV15, it covers five additional serotypes (8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B), providing protection against a total of 20 pneumococcal serotypes. With this introduction, the pneumococcal vaccines supported by the National Immunization Program will now include three types: PCV13, PCV15, and PCV20.

The vaccination schedule for healthy children remains unchanged, with three doses administered at two, four, and six months of age, followed by a booster dose at 12 to 15 months. Children who have already started vaccination with PCV13 can switch to PCV20 for subsequent doses. However, the KDCA recommends that children who have started with PCV15 should complete their vaccination series with the same vaccine.

Children and adolescents at high risk of infection due to immunodeficiency, chronic diseases, or cochlear implants are also eligible for PCV20 vaccination. For high-risk children and adolescents, the vaccination schedule may differ depending on their age at the time of vaccination and their prior vaccination history, so it is important to follow the appropriate schedule for each situation. The upper age limit for high-risk children eligible for PCV20 support has been raised from 12 to 18 years, allowing more children and adolescents to benefit from the National Immunization Program.

Further details regarding PCV20 vaccination will be provided again next month to local governments, the medical community, and the public. Starting from October 1, information about the institutions offering PCV20 vaccinations will be available on the Immunization Helper website.

Im Seungkwan, Commissioner of the KDCA, stated, "With the introduction of the new PCV20 vaccine, our children will be protected against a greater number of pneumococcal serotypes," and added, "By introducing more effective and safer vaccines for children and adolescents through the National Immunization Program, we will continue to expand the nation’s guarantee for the prevention of infectious diseases."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.