The High Authority for Health (HAS) has just published its recommendations On the place of the new Capvaxive vaccine (MSD France) in the invasive pneumococcal vaccination strategy.
What are the particularities of this vaccine?
The CAPVAXIVE (VPC 21/V116) vaccine), indicated in adults, is a conjugated pneumococcal vaccine against 21 pneumococcal serotypes. Its composition is different from that of the Prevenar 20 vaccine (VPC 20), which is a pneumococcal vaccine combined 20-valent currently recommended. If these vaccines have 11 common serotypes (3, 6a, 7f, 8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B/C, 19A, 22F, 33F), 10 serotypes are specific to VPC 21 (9N, 15A, 16F, 17F, 20A, 23A, 23B, 24F, 31 and 35b).
What is its place in the vaccine strategy?
In July 2023, the HAS recommended that the Prevenar 20 vaccine replaces sequential vaccination with VPC 13 and VPP 23 vaccines for adults at risk of invasive pneumococcal infections. Then, in January 2025, the HAS recommendedExpand this vaccination to all adults aged 65 and overwhatever their risk, without higher age limit.
With the arrival of the capvaxive vaccine, after evaluation, the HAS considers that this VPC 21 vaccine can be used in the same way as the VPC 20 vaccine, in single dose, as part of the current vaccination strategy against pneumococcal infections in adults (≥ 18 years at risk or anyone ≥ 65 years). The HAS will see the entire antipneumococcal vaccine strategy with the results of the current modeling, in particular the relevance of a preferential recommendation of the VPC 21 vaccine and/or the interest of a sequential administration with the VPC 20 vaccine in targeted populations.
Is a coadministration with other vaccines possible?
In order to simplify the vaccination course, the HAS believes that the VPC 21 vaccine can be administered concomitantly with the vaccine against seasonal flu (injections in different sites). In the absence of coadministe, there is no delay to be observed between the 2 vaccinations. Regarding other vaccinations in adults, concomitant administration with the VPC 21 has not been studied.
The overall antipneumoccal vaccination strategy will be reassessed according to the evolution of knowledge, the HAS wishing that studies are quickly implemented to assess the effectiveness and impact in real life of the VPC 21 vaccine, in order to document the efficiency and safety of coadministration with other recommended vaccines in 65 years and more, as well as to document interchangeability Between VPC 21 and VPC 20 or the possible sequential administration with the VPC 20 and the need for reminders.
