March 19, 2010
On February 24, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration licensed a new 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar 13 [PCV13], Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc., a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc.) for prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease. PCV13 was approved for children 6 weeks through 71 months of age and will replace PCV7. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended its use in infants and children (March 12, 2010 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report [MMWR]).

A March 16, 2010 AAP News article discusses the safety and effectiveness of this newly licensed vaccine, and provides answers to some frequently asked questions.