Pfizer (PFE.US) announced that the Hong Kong Department of Health has approved the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for active immunization in infants, children, and adolescents aged 6 weeks to under 18 years, to combat invasive diseases, pneumonia, and acute otitis media caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The vaccine was previously approved for use in adults aged 18 and older.

The 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine builds upon the previously approved 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine by adding seven additional serotypes (8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F, and 33F), which may be associated with antibiotic resistance, increased disease severity, invasiveness, and the prevalence of pneumococcal cases in children.