Indian Multidisciplinary Expert Opinions on the Use of 20-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Adults

Background: Pneumococcal disease imposes a substantial public health burden in India, particularly among older adults and individuals with chronic or immunocompromising conditions. Although the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine are available, the emergence of non-PCV13 serotypes has highlighted the need for broader serotype coverage. The approval of the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) offers expanded serotype coverage and the potential to simplify adult vaccination strategies. Methods: A multidisciplinary expert panel convened to develop evidence-informed expert opinions on PCV20 use in adults. A narrative literature review (2010–2025), a structured pre-meeting web-based survey, and structured discussions using the Nominal Group Technique were conducted. Expert opinions were refined, reviewed, and approved by all panel members. Results: Based on the available evidence and expert deliberations, the panel supported single-dose PCV20 for adults aged ≥50 years and at-risk individuals aged 18–49 years. The panel also provided specialty-specific recommendations to facilitate the implementation of PCV20 in routine clinical practice across diverse adult populations in India. Conclusions: These multidisciplinary expert opinions provide practical guidance for PCV20 use in Indian adults and are intended to complement, not replace, the formal national recommendations and to support informed clinical decision-making for adult pneumococcal vaccination in India, while acknowledging remaining uncertainty regarding effectiveness, implementation, affordability, and the need for further India-specific evidence.

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Publication Details

Journal
Vaccines
Published
2026-10-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines14100905
Primary Topic
Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Indian Multidisciplinary Expert Opinions on the Use of 20-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Adults

Madhu Kumari Gupta, V. Ramasubramanian, MANGESH HARIHAR TIWASKAR, Debmalya Sanyal et al.
Vaccines
Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
article

Indian Multidisciplinary Expert Opinions on the Use of 20-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Adults

Madhu Kumari Gupta, V. Ramasubramanian, MANGESH HARIHAR TIWASKAR, Debmalya Sanyal, Srikantiah Chandrashekara, Randeep Guleria, Santosh Ramesh Taur, Agam Vora, Dinesh Khullar, Abraham Oomman, Manisha Sahay, Rajesh Venkitakrishnan, Raja Dhar, Rushi V Deshpande, Suneetha Narreddy, Sachin Choudhari, Sanjay Kalra, Parvaiz Ahmad Koul, Kumar Prabhash, V. Balaji, Vijaikumar Ratnavelu, Namrata Kulkarni, Sanjay Agarwal, Balebail Gopalakrishna Dharmanand, Sujoy Ghosh, Raj Kumar Sharma, Mohan Bajaranglal Agarwal, Jayaraj Puthanmadathil
article en

Abstract

Background: Pneumococcal disease imposes a substantial public health burden in India, particularly among older adults and individuals with chronic or immunocompromising conditions. Although the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine are available, the emergence of non-PCV13 serotypes has highlighted the need for broader serotype coverage. The approval of the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) offers expanded serotype coverage and the potential to simplify adult vaccination strategies. Methods: A multidisciplinary expert panel convened to develop evidence-informed expert opinions on PCV20 use in adults. A narrative literature review (2010–2025), a structured pre-meeting web-based survey, and structured discussions using the Nominal Group Technique were conducted. Expert opinions were refined, reviewed, and approved by all panel members. Results: Based on the available evidence and expert deliberations, the panel supported single-dose PCV20 for adults aged ≥50 years and at-risk individuals aged 18–49 years. The panel also provided specialty-specific recommendations to facilitate the implementation of PCV20 in routine clinical practice across diverse adult populations in India. Conclusions: These multidisciplinary expert opinions provide practical guidance for PCV20 use in Indian adults and are intended to complement, not replace, the formal national recommendations and to support informed clinical decision-making for adult pneumococcal vaccination in India, while acknowledging remaining uncertainty regarding effectiveness, implementation, affordability, and the need for further India-specific evidence.

VaccinesVol. 14(10)
Apollo Hospitals (IN), Christian Medical College, Vellore (IN), Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (IN), KPC Medical College and Hospital (IN), Tata Memorial Hospital (IN), Kidney Research UK (GB), Ruby Hall Clinic (IN), Jaslok Hospital (IN), Osmania General Hospital (IN), Max Super Speciality Hospital (IN), Shilpa (India) (IN), Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (IN), Rajagiri Hospital (IN), Medanta The Medicity (IN), Mother Hospital (IN), Yashoda Hospital (IN), Apollo Hospitals (IN), Bombay Hospital (IN), Rheumatology Consultants (US), Bharti Hospital (IN), Apollo Hospitals (IN), Center for Rheumatology (US), Pfizer (India) (IN), Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (IN)
Pfizer
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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