Last reviewed 2026-05-13 · How we verify

Prevnar family (prevnar-family)

Induces an immune response to Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F

Prevnar, developed by Pfizer, holds a dominant market position as the world's best-selling drug with annual revenues of $6.494 billion and 31 approved indications. Its competitive advantage lies in its robust immune response to 13 specific Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes, though it faces strong competition from Merck’s Vaxneuvance, which offers broader serotype coverage. A key risk is the emergence of newer, more comprehensive vaccines like Vaxcyte’s VAX-24 and Merck’s experimental V116, which could erode Prevnar’s market share. The pipeline outlook remains uncertain, with no ongoing clinical trials reported, and the requirement for a PD-L1 companion diagnostic for several indications may limit its applicability in certain patient populations.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

The Prevnar family vaccine works by introducing inactivated or attenuated Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria to the body, which triggers an immune response. This response enables the body to recognize and fight off future infections caused by the targeted serotypes. The vaccine's ability to induce a broad immune response makes it effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease in various age groups.

Approved indications

• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F in children 2 through 5 years of age
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F in children 6 through 17 years of age
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 18 years of age and older
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 50 years of age and older
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 65 years of age and older
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 18 years of age and older with chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes mellitus, or functional or anatomical asplenia
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with functional or anatomical asplenia
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with HIV infection
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with sickle cell disease
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with cerebrospinal fluid leak
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with cochlear implant
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with other conditions that put them at increased risk for pneumococcal disease
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with immunocompromising conditions
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with other health conditions that put them at increased risk for pneumococcal disease
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with other health conditions that put them at increased risk for pneumococcal disease
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with other health conditions that put them at increased risk for pneumococcal disease
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with other health conditions that put them at increased risk for pneumococcal disease
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with other health conditions that put them at increased risk for pneumococcal disease
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with other health conditions that put them at increased risk for pneumococcal disease
• Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F in adults 19 through 64 years of age with other health conditions that put them at increased risk for pneumococcal disease

Common side effects

No common side effects on file.

Drug interactions

• Pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13)
• Pneumococcal 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)
• Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV)
• Live attenuated typhoid vaccine
• Live attenuated rotavirus vaccine
• Live attenuated varicella vaccine
• Live attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
• Live attenuated MMRV vaccine
• Live attenuated yellow fever vaccine
• Live attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccine
• Live attenuated rabies vaccine
• Live attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV)

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Prevnar family CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Prevnar family updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• Pfizer Inc. portfolio CI