In short: for infants, Prevenar 20 (PCV20) becomes the recommended vaccine, at 2, 4 and 6 months with a booster at 11 months. For adults aged 65 and over and adults at risk, HAS recommends Capvaxive (PCV21) as a single dose. These replace PCV13, PCV15 and, for certain groups, PPV23.
What changes for infants
HAS now recommends PCV20 for all infants — premature babies included — as well as for children at high risk of infection: immunocompromised children, those with sickle cell disease, asplenic children and those with chronic conditions.
The schedule is as follows:
| Age | Injection |
|---|---|
| 2 months | 1st dose of PCV20 |
| 4 months | 2nd dose of PCV20 |
| 6 months | 3rd dose of PCV20 |
| 11 months | Booster |
The rationale is coverage. PCV20 protects against the serotypes responsible for 41% of invasive pneumococcal infections in children, where the previously recommended vaccines covered a markedly smaller share of the strains now circulating.
Already started a course? An infant who began with PCV13 or PCV15 continues with PCV20, following its schedule. No restart.
What changes for adults
For adults aged 65 and over and for adults at increased risk of pneumococcal infection, HAS recommends PCV21 (Capvaxive), as a single dose.
This vaccine was designed around the serotypes that specifically affect adults, which explains the gap in coverage:
| Vaccine | Share of cases covered in people aged 65+ |
|---|---|
| PCV21 (Capvaxive) | 84% |
| PCV20 | 63% |
One injection is enough. And if you have already received PCV20, HAS does not recommend catch-up vaccination at this stage: no additional dose is planned on that basis.
Why HAS updated the strategy now
Invasive pneumococcal infections have risen steadily in France since 2015. Pneumococcus also remains responsible for 15 to 30% of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, and France records at least 60,000 cases of pneumococcal pneumonia a year.
The incidence of invasive forms follows a U-shaped curve, with two clearly exposed groups: the very young and the very old.
| Group | Incidence of invasive infections |
|---|---|
| Infants under one year | 26.3 cases per 100,000 |
| Adults aged 65–69 | 18.7 cases per 100,000 |
| Adults aged 89 and over | 63.7 cases per 100,000 |
Without an updated strategy, HAS projects more than 17,000 hospitalisations, around 3,000 people left with lasting effects and close to 2,800 deaths over five years. That calculation is what justifies the move to higher-valence vaccines.
Do not change an ongoing schedule yourself. This article summarises a public health recommendation; it does not replace a consultation. The right vaccine for you, or for your child, is determined by your doctor, paediatrician or pharmacist based on your history and risk factors.
Summary: who gets what
| You are… | Recommended vaccine | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Parent of an infant (all, including premature) | PCV20 — Prevenar 20 | 2, 4, 6 months + booster at 11 months |
| Parent of a child at high risk | PCV20 — Prevenar 20 | Same schedule, to confirm with your doctor |
| Adult aged 65 or over | PCV21 — Capvaxive | Single dose |
| Adult at increased risk of infection | PCV21 — Capvaxive | Single dose |
| Adult already vaccinated with PCV20 | — | No catch-up recommended at this stage |
Frequently asked questions
Three doses, one booster, one date not to miss
The infant pneumococcal schedule runs over nine months and sits among the other vaccines on the French calendar. Vaxelia keeps count for the whole family and reminds you before each date.
Download Vaxelia — FreeSources: Haute Autorité de santé, "Pneumococcus: an updated vaccination strategy to better protect at-risk populations", 30 July 2026 · Santé publique France (incidence data). This article is for information only and does not constitute medical advice. Speak to your doctor, paediatrician or pharmacist about any vaccination decision.