Merck wins FDA OK for vaccine rival to Pfizer’s pneumococcal shot

BioPharma Dive June 18, 2024
Delilah Alvarado

Called Capvaxive, Merck’s new vaccine protects against infection caused by 21 types of the bacteria, including eight serotypes not covered by shots like Pfizer’s Prevnar.

Dive Brief:

• The Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved a new vaccine from Merck & Co. that protects against 21 types of the bacteria that causes pneumococcal disease.
• The vaccine, cleared for use in adults 18 and older, will be sold by Merck as Capvaxive. Pneumococcal disease can lead to severe infection in the lungs or sometimes in the blood and spinal cord, when it is known as meningitis. Adults older than 65 or who have compromised immune systems are at particular risk for the disease.
• Merck expects to make the vaccine available...

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