Brazil's vaccination rollout for Pneumo 20 surpasses 1 million children under five

Brazil’s public health system has vaccinated over one million children under five with the new Pneumo 20 vaccine since June, aiming to enhance protection against pneumococcal diseases and reduce childhood hospitalisations.

Brazil’s public health system has vaccinated more than 1 million children under five with Pneumo 20 since June, according to the Ministry of Health. The announcement was made by health minister Alexandre Padilha during a visit to health services in Montes Claros, in Minas Gerais, on Friday.

Pneumo 20 was added to Brazil’s National Vaccination Calendar in 2026 and is designed to protect against 20 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, the bacterium behind illnesses such as pneumonia and meningitis. The ministry says the new vaccine will gradually replace Pneumo 10 in the childhood schedule, although existing stocks of the older vaccine will continue to be used during the transition.

According to the ministry, the move is meant to strengthen protection against invasive pneumococcal disease, including strains such as 3, 6A and 19A. Health authorities also say the broader coverage may help prevent otitis media, which can lead to hearing loss and, in severe cases, systemic infection.

The rollout is taking place through Basic Health Units and other SUS vaccination points. The schedule includes a dose of Pneumo 20 at two months, Pneumo 10 at four months and a Pneumo 20 booster at 12 months, with a minimum interval of 60 days between the second dose and the booster. Some special groups are also eligible, according to official guidance.

The ministry says the expansion is aimed at reducing hospital admissions, complications and deaths, especially in early childhood. Between 2023 and 2025, Brazil recorded 4,600 cases of pneumococcal meningitis and 1,400 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 30%, while children under five accounted for 589 cases and 187 deaths.