Merck Wins US Approval for Pneumonia Vaccine to Rival Pfizer’s

Merck & Co. won US approval for a pneumococcal vaccine that threatens to unseat one of Pfizer Inc.’s biggest franchises.

Called Capvaxive, Merck’s vaccine is approved to prevent the bacterial infections behind pneumonia and meningitis for adults over 18, Merck said Monday.

Capvaxive has the potential to become the preferred vaccine given studies have shown it protects against bacterial strains that cause around 80% of pneumococcal diseases. Pfizer’s Prevnar works against 50%, to compare. Both products are indicated for people who have not previously received a pneumococcal vaccine.

Capvaxive’s commercial future rests with the Centers for Disease Control and ...