Brazil's Health Ministry Expands Pneumo 20 Vaccine to Adults 85 and Older

Brazil's Ministry of Health will offer the pneumo 20 vaccine to people aged 85 and older, according to www.gov.br. The announcement was published on Monday, September 14, 2026.

The pneumo 20 vaccine, also referred to as the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (VPC20), is being extended to this age group as part of the national immunization schedule. The Ministry of Health released details of how the vaccination scheme will be structured for those eligible.

Local governments have started acting on the expansion. The city of Hortolândia began vaccinating residents aged 85 and above with pneumo 20, according to G1. The city of Jundiaí issued guidance covering both children and people in the 85-plus age bracket, according to the Prefeitura de Jundiaí. The state of São Paulo's health agency also published information on the expanded recommendation and the updated vaccination schedule.

The vaccine is being made available through SUS, Brazil's public health system, as reported by Poder360. The move widens access to pneumococcal protection for the country's oldest residents, a group at higher risk from pneumococcal disease.

pneumo 20

Details on eligibility and scheduling vary by municipality, and local health departments have been issuing their own guidance for residents. Those seeking the vaccine should check with their local health unit for availability and appointment procedures.

What to watch next: how quickly municipal health networks across Brazil complete the rollout, and whether further age groups are added to the pneumo 20 recommendation.