The key difference between Prevnar 13 and PPSV23 is that Prevnar 13 is a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine while PPSV23 is a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.
Pneumococcal disease is a disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus. Generally, this bacterium causes various diseases ranging from serious diseases such as septicaemia, meningitis, and pneumonia to milder infections such as otitis media and sinusitis. However, pneumococcal diseases can be prevented by vaccines. There are two types of vaccines available to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia and its complications. They are Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23. These two differ from each other by way of administration and the types of bacteria they protect against.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Prevnar 13
3. What is PPSV23
4. Similarities Between Prevnar 13 and PPSV23
5. Side by Side Comparison – Prevnar 13 vs PPSV23 in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Prevnar 13?
Prevnar 13 or pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine is a vaccine for pneumococcal pneumonia. It is made by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and marketed by Pfizer Inc. This vaccine gives protection against 13 different pneumococcus serotypes: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F.
Figure 01: Pneumococcus
Prevnar 13 is recommended for infants, toddlers, children and adults. Generally, it is injected as 0.5 ml into a muscle. It is given as a single dose. However, it can be repeated per schedule.
What is PPSV23?
PPSV23 or Pneumovax 23 or pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent injection is the second types of vaccine for pneumococcal infections. It is made by Merck & Co., Inc. This vaccine protects against 23 different types of pneumococcus serotypes as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19F, 19A, 20, 22F, 23F, and 33F.
Figure 02: PPSV23
It can be injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly. PPSV23 is recommended for adults 50 years or older and children below two years. It is given as a single dose.
What are the Similarities Between Prevnar 13 and PPSV23?
- Prevnar 13 and PPSV23 are both brand-name vaccines.
- Both vaccines are used to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia and its complications.
- Both vaccines come as injections.
- They are safe and effective vaccines.
- However, there can be side effects of both vaccines.
What is the Difference Between Prevnar 13 and PPSV23?
Prevnar 13 and PPSV23 are two types of vaccines developed against pneumococcal infections. Prevnar 13 provides protection against 13 strains of pneumococcal bacteria while PPSV23 provides protection against 23 strains of pneumococcal bacteria. Thus, this is the key difference between Prevnar 13 and PPSV23. Chemically, Prevnar 13 is a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine while PPSV23 is a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.
Moreover, Prevnar 13 is used for infants, toddlers, children, and adults while PPSV23 is used for patients aged 50 years or older, and patients ≥2 years old who are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.
The below infographic shows more details of the difference between Prevnar 13 and PPSV23.
Summary – Prevnar 13 vs PPSV23
Prevnar 13 and PPSV23 are two kinds of vaccines that help prevent pneumococcal diseases. Prevnar 13 works against 13 different types of pneumococcal bacteria while PPSV23 works against 23 strains of pneumococcal bacteria. Prevnar 13 is made by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals while PPSV23 is made by Merck & Co., Inc. Prevnar 13 is injected into a muscle while PPSV23 can be injected into a muscle or under the skin. Hence, this is the summary of the difference between Prevnar 13 and PPSV23.
Reference:
1. “Pneumococcal Vaccination | What You Should Know | CDC”. Cdc.Gov, 2020, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Pneumococcus (259 06)” By Doc. RNDr. Josef Reischig, CSc. – Author’s archive (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Pneumovax 23” By Waddie96 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia