The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has taken a significant step towards protecting adults from pneumococcal diseases. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has voted to recommend expanded usage for pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, manufactured by Merck & Co Inc (MRK) and Pfizer Inc (PFE). This means lowering the recommended vaccination age from 65 to 50 years old.
This decision is a testament to the growing understanding of the threat posed by pneumococcal infections, particularly in adults. Pfizer’s chief medical affairs officer for global vaccines and antivirals, Luis Jodar, expressed the company’s commitment to combating this disease, emphasizing the significance of this expanded vaccination recommendation.
The 20 serotypes present in Pfizer’s PREVNAR 20 vaccine are estimated to be responsible for over 2,000 deaths and more than 65,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) annually in adults aged 50 to 64. IPD includes serious infections such as bacteremia, meningitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. Data from 2018 to 2022 revealed that over half of IPD cases in this age group were caused by these 20 serotypes.
ACIP’s decision was based on robust evidence highlighting the significant risk of pneumococcal disease in adults aged 50-64. The committee emphasized that a substantial proportion (88%) of adults within this age group suffering from pneumococcal disease had at least one underlying medical condition that increased their susceptibility to these infections.
The CDC’s pneumococcal vaccines workgroup presented compelling arguments for an age-based recommendation over a risk-based approach, emphasizing that this strategy would likely lead to higher vaccine uptake. The expert panel also cited the economic impact, serotype coverage, and health equity advantages as strong arguments in support of their recommendation.
In June of this year, the FDA approved Merck’s Capvaxive (Pneumococcal 21-valent Conjugate Vaccine). This vaccine is designed to protect against 21 strains of pneumococcus bacteria, offering a comprehensive approach to preventing severe pneumococcal disease. It is the first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine specifically formulated to protect adults from pneumococcus, which can cause serious illnesses like pneumonia and lung infections.
This expansion of pneumococcal vaccination recommendations is a significant step towards public health improvement. It is a testament to the ongoing scientific research and a commitment to protecting a broader population from these potentially life-threatening diseases.