Pfizer Receives FDA Approval For The Use Of Prevnar 13 In Vaccine-Naive Children And Adolescents Aged 6 Years Through 17 Years For The Prevention Of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease
Prevnar 13 is the First and Only Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Approved for This Age Group
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has granted approval for the expansion of the
company’s pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Prevnar 13®*
(Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197
Protein]), for use in older children and adolescents aged 6 years
through 17 years for active immunization for the prevention of invasive
disease caused by the 13 Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes
contained in the vaccine. For this age group, Prevnar 13 is administered
as a one-time dose to patients who have never received Prevnar 13.1
“As a global leader in pneumococcal disease prevention, extending the
impact of Prevnar 13 to older children and adolescents aged 6 through 17
years is a reflection of our dedication to improving public health
worldwide,” said Susan Silbermann, president, vaccines, Pfizer. “We
continue to work tirelessly to make this vaccine available to people at
risk for invasive pneumococcal disease.”
The FDA approval followed submission and review of a Phase 3, open-label
trial of Prevnar 13 in 592 older children and adolescents, including
those with asthma.2 The study met all endpoints,
demonstrating immunogenicity and establishing a safety profile in
children aged 6 years through 17 years consistent with the safety
profile established in previous trials in infants and young children.2
About Prevnar 13
Prevnar 13 was first introduced for use in infants and young children in
December 2009 in Europe and in February 2010 in the U.S., and it is now
approved for such use in nearly 120 countries worldwide. It is the most
widely used pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the world, and more than
500 million doses of Prevnar/Prevnar 13 have been distributed worldwide.
Currently, Prevnar 13 is included as part of a national or regional
immunization program in more than 60 countries, offering coverage
against invasive pneumococcal disease to nearly 30 million children per
year.3
Prevnar 13 is also approved for use in adults 50 years of age and older
in more than 80 countries and it is the first and only pneumococcal
vaccine to be granted World Health Organization prequalification in the
adult population.3
About Pneumococcal Disease
Pneumococcal disease (PD) is a group of illnesses caused by the
bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), also
known as pneumococcus.4 PD is associated with significant
morbidity and mortality.4 Invasive manifestations of the
disease include bacteremia (bacteria in the blood) and meningitis
(infection of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord).4
Invasive pneumococcal disease can affect people of all ages, although
older adults and young children are at heightened risk.4,5,6
U.S. Indication for Prevnar 13
-
Prevnar 13 is a vaccine approved for the prevention of invasive
disease caused by 13 S. pneumoniae strains (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B,
7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F) in children 6 weeks through 17
years of age, and in children 6 weeks through 5 years for the
prevention of otitis media caused by 7 of the 13 strains (4, 6B, 9V,
14, 18C, 19F, and 23F)
-
Based upon immune responses to the vaccine, Prevnar 13 is also
approved for adults 50 years of age and older for the prevention of
pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive disease caused by the 13 vaccine
strains
-
Prevnar 13 is not 100% effective and will only help protect against
the 13 strains included in the vaccine
-
Effectiveness when given less than 5 years after a pneumococcal
polysaccharide vaccine is not known
Important Safety Information
-
Prevnar 13 should not be given to anyone with a history of severe
allergic reaction to any component of Prevnar 13 or any diphtheria
toxoid–containing vaccine
-
Children and adults with weakened immune systems (e.g., HIV infection,
leukemia) may have a reduced immune response
-
A temporary pause of breathing following vaccination has been observed
in some infants born prematurely
-
The most commonly reported serious adverse events in children were
bronchiolitis (an infection of the lungs) (0.9%), gastroenteritis
(inflammation of the stomach and small intestine) (0.9%), and
pneumonia (0.9%)
-
In infants and toddlers, the most common side effects were tenderness,
redness or swelling at the injection site, irritability, decreased
appetite, decreased or increased sleep, and fever
-
In adults, immune responses to Prevnar 13 were reduced when given with
injected seasonal flu vaccine
-
In adults, the common side effects were pain, redness, or swelling at
the injection site, limitation of arm movement, fatigue, headache,
muscle pain, joint pain, decreased appetite, chills, or rash
-
Ask your health care provider about the risks and benefits of Prevnar
13. Only a health care provider can decide if Prevnar 13 is right for
your child
For the full prescribing information for Prevnar 13, please click here http://www.pfizer.com/products/#prevnar13
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
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small molecule medicines and vaccines, and many of the world's
best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across
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treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our
time. Consistent with our responsibility as the world's leading
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DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release
is as of January 25, 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 labelling 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.
References
-
Prevnar 13® (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine
[Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]) DRAFT Prescribing Information,
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc.
-
Data on File (DOF). 13vPnC-Infant Clinical Study Report. Final Report
For Groups 3 And 4: A Phase 3, Open Label Trial Evaluating The Safety,
Tolerability, And Immunogenicity Of 13 Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate
Vaccine In Healthy Children Aged 15 Months To 17 Years In The United
States.
-
Pfizer Data on File (DOF).
-
World Health Organization (WHO). 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide
vaccine. WHO Position Paper. Wkly Epidemiol Rec.
2008;83(42):373-384.
-
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated recommendations
for prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease among adults using the
23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). MMWR.
2010;59(34):1102-1106.
-
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of pneumococcal
disease among infants and children – use of 13-valent pneumococcal
conjugate vaccine and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.
Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP). 2010;59(RR-11):1-19.
*Prevnar 13 is referred to as Prevenar 13 in most countries outside the
United States.