The European Commission has granted approval for expanding use of Pfizer's pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Prevenar 13 (pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine [13-valent, adsorbed]), to older children and adolescents aged six 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 III, open-label trial of Prevenar 13 in 592 healthy children and adolescents, including those with underlying medical conditions such as asthma (17.4 per cent of the study population). The study met all endpoints, demonstrating immunogenicity and establishing a safety profile in children and adolescents aged six to 17 years consistent with the safety profile established in previous trials in infants and young children.

“Children and adolescents aged six 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.”

Prevenar 13 was first introduced in Europe for use in infants and young children and it is now approved 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 Organisation pre-qualification 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 paediatric population.

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.

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.