A wider shield for babies: a 25-strain pneumonia vaccine just posted strong early results

Pneumococcal disease is one of the great killers of young children, and protection improves with every strain a vaccine covers. Pfizer's experimental 25-strain vaccine, tested in infants in a phase 2 trial, produced antibody levels against the stubborn serotype 3 about 15 times higher than the current 20-strain vaccine after the fourth dose, and triggered functional immune activity against all 25 target strains, with safety similar to today's approved vaccines. The candidate adds five new strains and could cover up to 90% of the strains that cause disease in children under five. Results were presented at IDWeek 2026; a phase 3 programme is under way.

SDG 3 · Good health and well-being — Mechanism: tech innovation