Ten years following the introduction of the first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), leading global public health experts convened in Kuala Lumpur recently for the Asia Pneumococcal Disease (PD) Conference organised by Pfizer in collaboration with the Malaysian Paediatric Association. The conference focused on Initial Impact Data on Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Infants and Young Children following the Introduction of PCV-13 vaccine.
PD is the leading vaccine-preventable cause of death in young children world-wide. Where PCVs are not routinely used, it is not uncommon for doctors to treat infants and young children suffering with pneumococcal bacteremia, meningitis and pneumonia. It also is not uncommon for physicians to err on the side of aggressively treating any potential case of PD including undertaking multiple diagnostic tests and administering advanced antibiotics because they know the serious toll that PD could exact on their young patients.
"With the introduction of the 7-valent first generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine a decade ago that all changed. It has exceeded all expectations, making extraordinary public health contributions in those countries where it is included as part of the national immunisation programme," said Dr Bernard Fritzell, Vice-President, International Scientific & Clinical Affairs, Pfizer Vaccines.
Prevenar is widely regarded as one of public health's greatest success stories. However, there is significant work to be done to combat the changing face of PD. Specifically, certain strains of pneumococcal bacteria not included in Prevenar, such as 19A and 6A, have increased in prevalence, and are frequently resistant to antibiotics.
Dr Fritzell added that in response to this epidemiological shift, Pfizer developed the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, to help provide coverage against even more disease-causing serotypes. PCV-13 contains the seven serotypes included in Prevenar plus six additional serotypes, including 19A, 6A, and 3. Together, these 13 serotypes are the most prevalent invasive-disease causing serotypes threatening infants and young children world-wide today.-PR
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