Following Pfizer, Merck's new pneumonia vaccine was approved by the FDA

More than a month ago, Pfizer (Pfizer) introduced an improved version of the pneumonia vaccine.

Both of these new vaccines provide better protection against bacteria that cause pneumonia, meningitis and blood infections, as well as a variety of ear and sinus infections

Merck said Friday that the U.

Merck has not disclosed the price of its injection or when it will be launched

Pfizer’s latest vaccine, Prevnar20, was approved for use in adults on June 8

A team of vaccine experts from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will evaluate the two vaccines in October and recommend who should be vaccinated

Pfizer’s new vaccine protects against more than 7 more pathogens than the 10-year-old Prevnar 13-valent vaccine.

Merck said that tests have shown that its new vaccine is as effective as Prevnar13 against strains that both vaccines can fight against, but it is more effective against one of the strains

Merck and Pfizer have been testing their vaccines on children and infants and plan to seek approval for these age groups

At the same time, Merck will continue to sell its 38-year-old pneumococcal 23-valent vaccine, which can prevent 23 strains and is approved for use in children