What’s Next for Pneumococcal Vaccination? An Expert Weighs In

Pharmacists administering adult vaccines have a lot to track these days, and pneumococcal disease prevention is one of the more volatile among its counterparts.

In part 3 of our discussion with Paul Licciardi, PhD, group leader of vaccine immunology at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, he breaks down where pneumococcal vaccine guidance stands today and where it may be headed as disease epidemiology evolves.

“At the end of the day, we're just trying to reduce disease burden because individuals well over age 50 with or without comorbidities are at higher risk,” he told us. “I think getting in early is often better than waiting around and realizing that it might be more susceptible as you develop certain other conditions that put you at increased risk.”

One of the biggest recent shifts is the arrival of the 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV21). Unlike earlier vaccines, which simply added more serotypes to prior formulations (moving from 7-valent to 13 to 20), PCV21 takes a different approach.

It swaps out several serotypes covered by PCV20 and adds new ones, reflecting a more targeted response to shifting pneumococcal epidemiology. According to Licciardi, this change is likely to hold steady for the near term, making current guidance relatively stable.

Looking further ahead, higher-valency conjugate vaccines are already in development. These next-generation vaccines aim to address immunological creep, a phenomenon in which adding more serotypes can dilute immune response. Early data looks promising, though broader recommendations for adults over 50 are still likely down the line.

Licciardi also underscores a big-picture priority: improving awareness of adult vaccination in general and not just for pneumococcal disease. Earlier vaccination often means better protection before comorbidities compound and increase risk.

Watch the full video for a deeper dive into how the pneumococcal vaccine landscape is evolving and what it could mean for pharmacists and their patients.

READ MORE: Q&A: Pharmacists Help Patients Navigate Pneumococcal Vaccine Options