Immunology

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) announced today that the European Commission approved updates to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for the company's pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevenar 13* (pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine [13-valent, adsorbed]), regarding its use in certain populations at high risk of pneumococcal disease. The updated label now includes information describing the use of the vaccine in preterm infants, children and adolescents with sickle cell disease who were previously vaccinated with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, and adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who were previously vaccinated with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.

"People with conditions that compromise the immune system, such as HIV, those with sickle cell disease, and infants born prematurely are all at an increased risk of pneumococcal disease," said Luis Jodar, Ph.D., vice president, Vaccines, Global Medicines Development Group and Scientific Affairs, Pfizer. "The Prevenar 13 label in the European Union now includes important information about appropriate use of the vaccine for the prevention of pneumococcal disease for health care professionals who care for these patients."

The decision to approve the SmPC for Prevenar 13 followed the European Medicines Agency's review of data submitted by Pfizer from several studies assessing immunogenicity and safety of vaccination with Prevenar 13 in these three risk groups. These data are under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Prevenar 13 received an expanded indication in the European Union (EU) in July 2013 to include adults aged 18 to 49 years for active immunization for the prevention of invasive disease caused by vaccine-type Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae). Previously approved in the EU for use in infants, young children and adolescents aged 6 weeks to 17 years, and adults 50 years of age and older, Prevenar 13 is now the only pneumococcal vaccine in the EU that offers protection against invasive pneumococcal disease from infancy through adulthood.

"Pfizer is dedicated to improving public health through vaccination, and to supporting health care professionals in their efforts to reduce the impact of pneumococcal disease among those most at risk," said Susan Silbermann, president, Vaccines at Pfizer.

Preterm Infants

Preterm infants (gestational age 19 to 36 weeks) have an increased risk for pneumococcal disease compared with infants born full term (gestational age 37 to 42 weeks), according to studies. A Phase 4 study of Prevenar 13 administered at 2, 3, 4 and 12 months to approximately 100 preterm infants (born at 26 to 36 weeks) found a less robust immune response among preterm infants compared to term infants. An acceptable safety profile was demonstrated. Adverse events were generally consistent with those expected in this study population.

Sickle Cell Disease