Pfizer Receives European Approval To Expand Use Of Prevenar 13 To Older Children And Adolescents Aged 6 To 17 Years For The Prevention Of Pneumococcal Disease
Prevenar 13 is the First and Only Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Approved for This Age Group
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced today that the European Commission has
approved expanding the use of the company’s pneumococcal conjugate
vaccine, Prevenar 13* (pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine
[13-valent, adsorbed]), to older children and adolescents aged 6 to 17
years for active immunization for the prevention of invasive disease,
pneumonia and acute otitis media caused by vaccine-type Streptococcus
pneumoniae. Children in this age group who have not previously
received Prevenar 13 may receive a single dose of the vaccine.
“Prevenar 13 has been administered to millions of infants and young
children around the world and helps protect against the often fatal
effects of pneumococcal disease,” said Emilio Emini, Ph.D., chief
scientific officer, Vaccine Research, Pfizer. “As the global leader in
pneumococcal disease prevention, Pfizer continues to study the use of
this life-saving vaccine across all ages.”
The European Commission’s decision to approve this expanded indication
followed submission and review of a Phase 3, open-label trial of
Prevenar 13 in 592 healthy children and adolescents, including those
with underlying medical conditions such as asthma (17.4% of the study
population). The study met all endpoints, demonstrating immunogenicity
and establishing a safety profile in children and adolescents aged 6 to
17 years consistent with the safety profile established in previous
trials in infants and young children.
“Children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 with underlying medical
conditions have an increased risk of pneumococcal disease,” said Luis
Jodar, Ph.D., vice president, Vaccines Global Medicines Development
Group, Pfizer. “Pfizer will continue working with health authorities
worldwide in an effort to provide access to Prevenar 13 to those at risk
of disease.”
About Prevenar 13
Prevenar 13 was first introduced for use in infants and young children
in December 2009 in Europe and is now approved for such use in more than
120 countries worldwide. It is the most widely used pneumococcal
conjugate vaccine, with more than 500 million doses of Prevenar/Prevenar
13 having been distributed worldwide.Currently, Prevenar 13
is included as part of a national or regional immunization program in
more than 60 countries, helping to protect more than 30 million children
per year against invasive pneumococcal disease.
Prevenar 13 offers the broadest serotype coverage of any currently
available pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for prevention of pneumococcal
disease including invasive pneumococcal disease, pneumonia and otitis
media. The 13 pneumococcal serotypes in Prevenar 13 (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B,
7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F) are among the most prevalent
invasive-disease-causing strains in children worldwide.
Prevenar 13 is also approved for use in adults 50 years of age and older
in more than 80 countries, and is the first and only pneumococcal
vaccine to be granted World Health Organization prequalification in the
older adult population.
Prevenar 13 is marketed in the United States as Prevnar 13®
(Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197
Protein]). In the United States, Prevnar 13 is not
indicated for the prevention of pneumococcal pneumonia in the pediatric
population.
Pneumococcal Disease
Pneumococcal Disease (PD) is a group of illnesses caused by the
bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), also
known as pneumococcus. While pneumococcus can infect people of all ages,
infants, and young children and individuals with certain underlying
chronic conditions, are at heightened risk. Certain underlying medical
conditions, such as asthma and illnesses that impact a person’s immune
system, can increase an individual’s risk of PD. PD is associated with
significant morbidity and mortality.
Indication for Prevenar 13 in Europe
Prevenar 13 is approved in the EU for active immunization for the
prevention of invasive disease, pneumonia and acute otitis media caused
by vaccine-type S. pneumoniae in infants and children from
6 weeks to 17 years of age and invasive pneumococcal disease in adults
aged 50 years and older.
Important Safety Information for Prevenar 13
The use of Prevenar 13 should be determined on the basis of official
recommendations taking into consideration the impact of invasive disease
in different age groups as well as the variability of serotype
epidemiology in different geographical areas.
In clinical studies, the most commonly reported adverse reactions were
injection-site reactions, fever, irritability, decreased appetite, and
increased and/or decreased sleep.
Risks are associated with all vaccines, including Prevenar 13.
Hypersensitivity to any component, including diphtheria toxoid, is a
contraindication to its use. As with other vaccines, the administration
of Prevenar 13 should be postponed in subjects suffering from acute,
severe febrile illness. However, the presence of a minor infection, such
as a cold, should not result in the deferral of vaccination. Prevenar 13
does not provide 100 percent protection against vaccine serotypes or
protect against non-vaccine serotypes.
Indications for Prevnar 13 in the United States
In the United States, Prevnar 13 is indicated for use in children six
weeks through 5 years of age for the prevention of invasive disease
(e.g., meningitis, bacteremia) caused by 13 Streptococcus pneumoniae
serotypes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F). The
vaccine is also indicated in adults 50 years of age and older for active
immunization for the prevention of pneumonia and invasive disease caused
by the 13 Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes contained in the
vaccine (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F).
Indication is based on immune responses.
Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier
world™
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health
and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for
quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and
manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified
global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and
small molecule medicines and vaccines, and many of the world's
best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across
developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention,
treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our
time. Consistent with our responsibility as the world's leading
biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with health care
providers, governments and local communities to support and expand
access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more
than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely
on us. To learn more about our commitments, please visit us at www.pfizer.com.
DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release
is as of January 8, 2013. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of
new information or future events or developments.
This release contains forward-looking information that involves
substantial risks and uncertainties regarding potential indications for
Prevnar 13/Prevenar 13 in age groups for which it has not received
regulatory approval in various jurisdictions. Such risks and
uncertainties include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in
research and development; decisions by regulatory authorities in
jurisdictions in which applications have been or may be filed for such
potential indications regarding whether and when to approve such
applications, as well as their decisions regarding labeling and other
matters that could affect the availability and commercial potential of
such indications; and competitive developments.
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in
Pfizer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2011, and in its reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.
*Trademark