Immunization protects against bacteria that cause pneumonia and meningitis; minister participated in event in São Paulo
This Saturday (June 20, 2026) the application of VPC20 (20-valent pneumococcal vaccine), known as Pneumo 20, began in children under 5 years of age.
The immunizer, made available by the (Unified Health System), protects against 20 serotypes of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniaethe main cause of serious diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis.
The vaccine will replace VPC10 (10-valent pneumococcal vaccine), which protected against 10 serotypes of the bacteria. At this 1st stage, vaccination is only intended for children, according to their individual vaccination history and the doses already received from VPC10.
“In addition to children up to 5 years old, this vaccine will be available in the SUS for bedridden elderly people and elderly people who have chronic lung disease and chronic lung disease. So, in addition to protecting children, it also generates relief for families”said the Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha.
The event that marked the beginning of vaccination with Pneumo 20 took place in the South Zone of São Paulo, at the AMA/UBS (Ambulatory Medical Assistance/Basic Health Unit) Integrated Vila Prel, in the Campo Limpo region.
The Ministry of Health estimates that around 2 million children will be immunized across the country. SUS acquired more than 8 million doses and has already completed distribution to states and municipalities.
“We are starting this national Pneumo 20 vaccination strategy here in the city of São Paulo, which is our largest city in Brazil and which has to be not only the Brazilian capital, but the world capital of vaccination. I would like to reinforce this for parents: look for your nearest basic health unit, where the vaccine is already available in all Brazilian municipalities”declared the minister.
In the capital of São Paulo, the vaccine will be available at Integrated AMAs/UBSs until 7pm this Saturday. From Monday (June 22, 2026), the application will be expanded to all UBSs in the capital.
EXTENDED PROTECTION
According to the ministry, the difference of the new vaccine is the expansion of immunological protection, related to the serotypes that most cause invasive pneumonia, especially types 3, 6A and 19A, being more comprehensive than previous formulations. The vaccine also works against otitis media, a condition that can lead to hearing loss and generalized infection.
According to the World Health Organization, pneumococcal disease is the biggest cause of child mortality from a preventable disease. In Brazil, from 2023 to 2025, 4,600 cases of pneumococcal meningitis and 1,400 deaths were recorded, which represents a fatality rate of more than 30%. Among children under 5 years of age, there were 616 cases and 188 deaths in the same period.
This text was originally published by Agência Brasil on June 20, 2026, at 2:19 pm. The content is free for republication, the source is cited, and has been adapted to the standard of Poder360.
