Top Pneumonia Vaccine Brands for Optimal Protection

Pneumonia, a serious lung infection that can be debilitating or even life-threatening, affects millions globally each year. To combat this, choosing an effective pneumonia vaccine is crucial in safeguarding health, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. Several respected pharmaceutical brands have developed vaccines that are clinically proven to be effective in preventing pneumonia. For a detailed guide on the best pneumonia vaccine brands available today, continue reading below.

Illustration of pneumonia vaccine

Best brands of pneumonia vaccine in 2025

Pfizer

Pfizer is a leading producer of pneumonia vaccines, with its Prevnar 13 and Prevnar 20 vaccines demonstrating significant efficacy in preventing pneumococcal diseases. Prevnar 13 has shown vaccine efficacy in preventing first episodes of vaccine-type pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease, with a median follow-up of 3.93 years in a study involving 84,496 subjects aged 65 and older. Prevnar 20, approved by the U.S. FDA in 2021, protects against 20 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, including seven responsible for 40% of pneumococcal disease cases and deaths in the U.S. Studies have shown that Prevnar 20 triggers immune responses comparable to those of Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23, with a four-dose regimen approved for routine childhood immunization. The vaccines have had a tangible impact on reducing the global disease burden of pneumococcal infections.

Merck & Co.

Merck & Co.'s PNEUMOVAX 23 is a highly effective pneumococcal vaccine, approved by the FDA in 1983, which provides active immunization against 23 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. It has demonstrated a 57% overall protective effectiveness against invasive infections in persons aged 6 years and older, with higher effectiveness in specific patient groups such as those with diabetes mellitus, coronary vascular disease, and chronic pulmonary disease. The vaccine is indicated for use in persons 50 years of age or older and those aged 2 years or older who are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease. A 14-year retrospective study showed a reduction in invasive pneumococcal disease in adults, including those at increased risk. The vaccine has been shown to be particularly effective in immunocompetent persons aged 65 years and older, with a 75% effectiveness rate. For more detailed information, you can visit the PNEUMOVAX 23 FAQ page on Merck's website.

GSK

GSK's Synflorix is a leading pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, having protected over 100 million children worldwide since its launch in 2009, with more than 415 million doses distributed. It has demonstrated high vaccine effectiveness, such as 100% efficacy against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) caused by vaccine serotypes in some studies, and a vaccine efficacy of 22.0% against bacterial community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). For more information, you can read the GSK press release.

Sanofi

Sanofi is a leading producer of vaccines, including those for pneumococcal diseases, with a significant presence in the global vaccine market. In 2024, Sanofi's vaccine sales increased by 25.5%, driven by the rollout of Beyfortus and the earlier phasing of flu vaccine deliveries. The company supplies over 1.3 million vaccine doses daily and vaccinates around 500 million people annually worldwide. Sanofi's vaccines protect against a range of infectious diseases, including influenza, meningococcal meningitis, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Their vaccines have been instrumental in saving millions of lives globally.

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson, through its subsidiary Janssen, is a leading producer of vaccines, although it is not specifically known for pneumonia vaccines. However, Janssen has made significant strides in vaccine development, such as its COVID-19 vaccine, which demonstrated 66% efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and 85% efficacy in preventing severe COVID-19. In the realm of respiratory infections, Janssen's investigational RSV vaccine showed an 80% efficacy against lower respiratory tract disease in adults aged 65 and older. While Janssen is not a primary player in the pneumococcal vaccine market, its vaccine development capabilities are noteworthy. The company's commitment to public health is evident through its various vaccine initiatives. For more details on their RSV vaccine research, you can visit their press release.

Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz

Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, a prominent unit of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, is a leading producer of vaccines in Latin America, including those for pneumonia. The institute has a significant role in public health, delivering over 718 million doses of vaccines from 2018 to 2022, with an average annual delivery of 120 million doses to the National Immunization Program. Bio-Manguinhos is recognized for its production of bacterial and viral vaccines, including the Haemophilus influenzae b vaccine, which is crucial for preventing pneumonia. The institute's advanced infrastructure, such as the Henrique Penna Center, supports the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and ensures national self-sufficiency in vaccine production. As the world's largest manufacturer of the yellow fever vaccine, Bio-Manguinhos also contributes to global health by exporting vaccines pre-qualified by the WHO. For more information about their history, you can visit their official website.

Bharat Biotech

Bharat Biotech, although primarily known for its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, is not a leading producer of pneumonia vaccines. However, the company's expertise in vaccine development, as seen with Covaxin, which has a 78% efficacy against COVID-19 and 93% against severe disease, demonstrates their capability in producing effective vaccines. Covaxin, developed in collaboration with the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), has been administered to over 77 million people in India and is licensed in 23 countries globally. The vaccine's success in inducing high neutralizing antibody responses and its safety profile are indicative of the company's strong research and development capabilities. While Bharat Biotech is not specifically focused on pneumonia vaccines, their work in vaccine technology is noteworthy. For detailed information on Covaxin, you can visit their official documentation.

Serum Institute of India

The Serum Institute of India is a leading global vaccine manufacturer, particularly renowned for its affordable and high-quality pneumococcal vaccines. The institute's PNEUMOSIL(r) vaccine, developed through a decade-long collaboration with PATH and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, achieved WHO prequalification in December 2019 and Indian marketing authorization in July 2020. This vaccine is priced at around $2 per dose, roughly 30% less than other Gavi prices, making it more accessible to low- and middle-income countries. PNEUMOSIL(r) can be manufactured at a high volume of 100 million doses per annum, with plans to increase to over 150 million doses in the next few years. It targets the most prevalent serotypes of the pneumococcus bacterium, significantly reducing pneumococcal deaths and illness.

SK Bioscience

SK Bioscience is a leading producer of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, with its manufacturing facility, L HOUSE, being the first in South Korea to achieve EU-GMP certification from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2021. The company is expanding this facility to support the global supply of its next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate, GBP410 (SP0202), developed in collaboration with Sanofi. This expansion adds approximately 4,200 square meters of new space and aims to obtain cGMP certification to enhance global competitiveness. The vaccine has shown promising results in Phase II clinical trials in infants, with plans for a global Phase III trial and regulatory submission by 2027. The pneumococcal vaccine market is projected to grow to $10.3 billion by 2028, according to Evaluate Pharma. For more information, visit their official website.

Astellas Pharma

Astellas Pharma, a leading Japanese pharmaceutical company, is a significant player in the global pneumococcal vaccine market, contributing to the prevention of pneumonia and other severe infections. The global pneumococcal vaccine market, which was valued at USD 8.57 billion in 2021, is expected to reach USD 12 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.34%. Astellas Pharma, along with other major players like GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer, drives market growth through advancements in vaccine technology and increasing public health initiatives. The market is also influenced by the rising aging population and growing healthcare spending. Astellas Pharma's involvement in this market underscores its commitment to public health and innovative medical solutions. For more information on their product pipeline, you can visit their official pipeline page.