What is the difference between prevnar 7 and prevnar 13?

Prevnar 7 and Prevnar 13 are both pneumococcal vaccines, but they protect against different strains of the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Prevnar 7 covers seven serotypes, while Prevnar 13 covers 13 serotypes, including all those in Prevnar 7 plus six additional ones. This broader coverage in Prevnar 13 offers enhanced protection against pneumococcal diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media in children and adults. As a result, Prevnar 13 is often recommended over Prevnar 7 for updated immunization schedules.