WHO: Pneumococcal Vaccine Should Be on Schedules

PRESS RELEASE, Monday, 26 March 2007

WHO: Pneumococcal Vaccine Should Be Included on National Immunisation Schedules

Wyeth New Zealand today welcomed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision to support the inclusion of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in national immunisation programs worldwide.

Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) is an important cause of meningitis in children under 2 years. It is a significant concern to children’s health, estimated by WHO to result in more than 1 million deaths each year in young children around the world.

Currently the pneumococcal vaccine is not listed on the National Immunisation Schedule in New Zealand and therefore not free to all infants, as is the case in many other developed countries including Australia.

Dr Michael Lee, Medical Director for Wyeth Australia & New Zealand - makers of the pneumococcal vaccine “Prevenar”, said the WHO recommendation was a resounding endorsement of the vaccine’s value in helping to protect New Zealand kids from this debilitating disease.

The New Zealand Government is currently considering whether to list Prevenar on the schedule.

“This latest recommendation from the WHO provides further evidence of the vaccine’s value in helping to protect New Zealand kids from this debilitating disease,” Dr Lee said.

About Pneumococcal Disease

Pneumococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, and may manifest as a number of illnesses, including meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain), bacteraemia (blood infection), pneumonia (lung infection) and otitis media (middle ear infection).

Pneumococcal disease affects both children and adults and, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a leading cause of death and illness worldwide. WHO estimates that pneumococcal disease results in up to 1 million deaths each year in young children worldwide.

Further, according to WHO, pneumococcal disease is the number one vaccine-preventable cause of death in children less than five years of age worldwide.

About Prevenar (Pneumococcal conjugated vaccine, 7 valent)

Prevenar is indicated for the active immunization of infants and children from 6 weeks to 9 years of age against 7 major strains of the pneumococcal bacteria. The usual vaccination course is 3 doses around 2 months apart, followed by a booster, if started around 2 months of age. As with all vaccines, 100% protection cannot be guaranteed. Your child should not receive Prevenar if he or she has ever had an allergic reaction to pneumococcal or diphtheria vaccines, latex, or any other ingredients of the vaccine.

Vaccination should be delayed if your child has a fever or infection requiring a visit to the doctor. The following side effects could occur at the injection site: pain, discomfort, tenderness, a rash, redness, swelling, or a lump. Other side effects that may occur include fever, irritability, drowsiness, restless sleep, decreased appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. Rare side effects include allergic reaction (such as rash, swelling, difficulty breathing), and seizures.

A full copy of the Prevenar Consumer Medicine Information can be found at http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/cmi/p/prevenar.htm.

Please discuss with your doctor if Prevenar will be right for your child.

Prevenar is an unfunded prescription medicine, and doctor fees and pharmacy charges may apply.

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The WHO report can be accessed at http://www.who.int/wer

References:

Ministry of Health. 2006. Immunisation Handbook 2006. Wellington: Ministry of Health. Available at http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/4617/$File/2006-16pneumococcal.pdf.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of pneumococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR. 1997;46(RR-8):1-24. Available at http:///www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/RR/RR4608.pdf. Accessed September 5, 2006.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine preventable deaths and the global immunization vision and strategy, 2006-2015. MMWR. 2006;55(18):511-515. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5518.pdf. Accessed August 2, 2006.

ENDS

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