VNVC introduces and begins administering first 20-valent pneumococcal vaccine

On May 26, 2025, Vietnam Vaccine Joint Stock Company (VNVC) announced the launch and initial administration in Vietnam of the advanced 20-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV20), designed to protect against 20 strains of pneumococcal bacteria, including highly virulent strains that cause severe diseases. This milestone underscores VNVC’s commitment to offering a comprehensive, world-class pneumococcal vaccine portfolio in Vietnam, safeguarding community health amid escalating respiratory disease threats.

Manufactured by Pfizer (USA), the PCV20 vaccine effectively protects against 20 pneumococcal strains (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, 33F), which cause invasive pneumococcal diseases (such as bacterial pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis) and non-invasive conditions (like pneumonia, otitis media, and sinusitis). Produced at a state-of-the-art vaccine facility in Belgium using cutting-edge technology, PCV20 has been proven to generate strong immune responses, provide long-term protection, and reduce asymptomatic carriage, thereby lowering disease transmission in communities.

The PCV20 vaccine is currently approved for adults aged 18 and older, with plans to expand access to children in the near future. Already used in nearly 50 countries, including developed nations like the USA, UK, Germany, France, and Australia, the vaccine has demonstrated significant success in reducing pneumococcal disease incidence and mortality among adults.

Within just two weeks, VNVC has introduced two advanced pneumococcal vaccines to serve the community, reinforcing its pioneering role in rapidly adopting global medical advancements. This ensures that Vietnamese children and adults have access to the world’s safest, most effective, and innovative vaccines.

Pneumococcal bacteria are a major cause of disease burden and death among children and adults. With more than 100 disease-causing serotypes, these bacteria are responsible for a wide range of complex infections, increasingly complicated by antibiotic resistance. As a result, the development and deployment of vaccines that offer broader strain coverage and reduce antibiotic overuse have become a global public health priority.

To meet this challenge, scientists and vaccine manufacturers worldwide have continued developing pneumococcal vaccines with improved efficacy and safety. These advances are particularly important amid the rising global incidence of respiratory illnesses.

Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director of the VNVC, highlighted the dangers posed by pneumococcal bacteria: “These infections are often severe, hard to diagnose, and difficult to treat. Fortunately, breakthroughs in vaccine research and technology have led to next-generation vaccines that provide broader protection and greater safety.”

The availability of multiple pneumococcal vaccines allows for tailored immunization strategies based on age, health conditions, immune status, and local disease prevalence. The introduction of PCV20, a new-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine at VNVC, represents a significant advancement. PCV20 provides broader protection against more pneumococcal serotypes and reduces the need for booster doses, helping to lower both vaccination and treatment costs.

Regarding the vaccination schedule, Dr. Bach Thi Chinh explained: “Currently, the PCV20 vaccine is approved for adults aged 18 and older with a single-dose schedule. Individuals at high risk of pneumococcal diseases will receive personalized vaccination advice from doctors. For those previously vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccines covering fewer or more serotypes but requiring boosters, doctors will determine appropriate sequential or combination vaccination schedules to achieve optimal protection.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that pneumococcal diseases cause approximately 1.6 million deaths globally each year. These bacteria are a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis—diseases with high mortality rates. According to the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study, pneumococcal infections resulted in 97.9 million cases of LRTIs and 505,000 related deaths, or roughly one death every minute.

The risk of invasive pneumococcal disease increases with age and is higher in individuals with chronic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In older adults, mortality rates from pneumococcal disease range from 16% to 44%. In Vietnam, the rapidly aging population and increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses have led to a greater risk of hospitalizations and severe complications from pneumococcal infections.

Vietnam is facing rapid population aging, with increasing numbers of people over 50 years old living with multiple chronic diseases. This raises the risk of hospitalization, severe complications, and high treatment costs for pneumococcal-related illnesses. Moreover, pneumococcal bacteria can co-infect alongside other complex respiratory pathogens such as influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), further increasing the risk of death.

In addition to collaborating with leading global vaccine and pharmaceutical companies to bring new and next-generation vaccines to Vietnam—thus increasing access for Vietnamese people to vaccines on par with developed countries—VNVC is taking a strategic step by building VNVC Vaccine and Biological Manufacturing Factory in Long An province.

The VNVC Vaccine and Biological Manufacturing Factory, with an initial investment of approximately 2,000 billion VND, is designed with modern facilities and world-class technologies. It offers diverse and flexible production capabilities for various vaccines, aiming to ensure a stable domestic vaccine supply, participate in the global vaccine supply chain, and be ready to meet future epidemic vaccine demands.

VNVC has established cooperation agreements with major global partners in vaccine research and production, including pharmaceutical companies Sanofi (France), Pfizer (USA), the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, and Russia’s Binnopharm Group, aiming to exchange research and transfer advanced vaccine manufacturing technologies.

VNVC is Vietnam’s leading system of safe, reputable, high-quality, and professional vaccination centers, with hundreds of facilities across the country, offering over 50 vaccines to protect against nearly 50 infectious diseases for children and adults.

With nearly a decade of trusted experience vaccinating tens of millions of children and adults, VNVC has established strategic partnerships with global vaccine giants such as GSK (Belgium), Pfizer (USA), MSD (USA), AstraZeneca (UK), Sanofi Pasteur (France), Abbott (Netherlands), Takeda (Japan), and Substipharm Biologics (Switzerland).

Since its inception, VNVC has collaborated with these leading pharmaceutical companies to bring dozens of new and next-generation vaccines to Vietnam, including those for shingles, dengue, next-generation meningococcal B, pneumococcal 13, pneumococcal 23, and most recently, Pfizer’s advanced PCV20 pneumococcal vaccine.

Beyond excelling in vaccination services, VNVC demonstrates exceptional capability and strategic vision by constructing a vaccine manufacturing facility in Long An, with an initial investment of approximately VND 2,000 billion. Built to meet stringent EU GMP, FDA, PIC/S, and WHO standards, this facility aims to produce biologicals and vaccines to meet Vietnam’s needs while positioning VNVC to join the global vaccine supply chain.

VNVC has consistently been voted among the most reputable pharmaceutical companies, a top Vietnamese brand, and one of the top 10 green and sustainable businesses in 2024. It is also recognized as one of the best workplaces in Asia-Pacific. Notably, VNVC received a commendation from the Prime Minister of Vietnam for its outstanding contributions to disease prevention. Trusted by tens of millions of Vietnamese families, VNVC is celebrated for its impactful community programs, including vaccination support initiatives and significant charitable contributions to society.

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