Singapore will be the first country in Southeast Asia to receive Pfizer’s new 20-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV20), after obtaining approval from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

The pharmaceutical giant made the announcement on Saturday (Mar 18). The vaccine, which is marketed under the brand name Apexxnar, has been approved for active immunisation for individuals aged 18 years and older.

It will offer protection against invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia caused by 20 Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) serotypes. According to Pfizer, it also contains the broadest serotype coverage of any available conjugate vaccine.