In Hong-Kongthe 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) which provides the broadest serotype coverage of all pediatric pneumococcal conjugate vaccines – helping to combat 20 serotypes leading to most invasive pneumococcal diseases and pneumonia[i],[ii] – is now approved for infants, children and adolescents aged 6 weeks to under 18 years and has been approved by the Hong Kong Department of Health in April 2023 for adults aged 18 and over[iii]
PCV20 builds on PCV13 and includes seven additional serotypes shown to be associated with antibiotic resistance, increased disease severity, invasive potential, and prevalence in pediatric pneumococcal cases[iv]
The vaccine is an evolution of Pfizer’s portfolio of pediatric pneumococcal vaccines and builds on Pfizer’s more than 20 years of leadership, legacy and innovation in the development of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
HONG-KONG, December 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Pfizer today announced that the Hong Kong Department of Health (DoH) has approved the company’s 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) for active immunization for the prevention of invasive disease, pneumonia and acute otitis media caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae in infants, children and adolescents from 6 weeks to less than 18 years of age, in addition to approval for adults 18 years of age and older.[iii]
(PRNewsfoto/Pfizer)
“The updated approval of PCV20 now gives parents an additional choice to help their children fight against twenty pneumococcal serotypes in circulation,” said Krishnamoorthy Sundaresangeneral manager of Pfizer Hong Kong, and Macau. “This important approval underscores Pfizer’s leadership in the development of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines to support infants and their families in the fight against life-threatening infections.”
According to the Ministry of Health, pneumonia is the second leading cause of death[v]responsible for an average of 31 deaths per day in 2023[vi]and one of the most common causes of indoor hospitalization Hong-Kong[vii]. Specifically, among the pediatric population, pneumonia accounts for 14% of all deaths among children under 5 years of age worldwide, killing 740,180 children in 2019, and streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in children.[viii]
PCV20 builds on the previously approved PCV13 and includes seven additional serotypes (8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B22F and 33F) which have been shown to be associated with antibiotic resistance, increased disease severity, invasive potential and prevalence in pediatric pneumococcal cases.[iv]
For more information about the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and its new indication, please contact your local healthcare provider.
About PCV20
PCV20 is Pfizer’s next generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine containing capsular polysaccharide conjugates for the 13 serotypes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F) already included in the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]. The vaccine also contains capsular polysaccharide conjugates for seven additional serotypes (8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B22F and 33F) that cause invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and have been associated with high mortality rates, antibiotic resistance and/or meningitis. PCV20 contains the broadest serotype coverage of any pneumococcal conjugate vaccine available and helps control the twenty Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in the vaccine.
About Pfizer: Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of healthcare products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues in developed and emerging markets work to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that combat the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we partner with healthcare providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable healthcare around the world. For 175 years, we’ve been working to make a difference for everyone who relies on us. For more information, visit us at www.pfizer.com.hk and like us on YouTube at www.youtube.com/c/pfizerhongkong.
[i] Cannon, K., Elder, C., Young, M., Scott, D. A., Scully, I. L., Baugher, G., Peng, Y., Jansen, KU, Gruber, W. C., & Watson, W. (2021). Vaccine, 39(51), 7494–7502.
[ii] Essink, B., Sabharwal, C., Cannon, K., Frenck, R., Lal, H., Xu, X., Sundaraiyer, V., Peng, Y., Moyer, L., Pride, M.W., Scully , IL, Jansen, KU, Gruber, WC, Scott, D.A., & Watson, W. (2022). Clinical Infectious Diseases: An Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 75(3), 390–398.
[iii] PCV20 (Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate, 20-valent adsorbed) Prescribing information. Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited. Version: July 2024
[iv] Senders, S., et al. (2021, October 1). Safety and immunogenicity of a 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in healthy infants in the United States. The journal Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Retrieved March 3, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8443440/
[v] Ministry of Health. Leading cause of all deaths. https://www.healthyhk.gov.hk/phisweb/en/chart_detail/22/. Accessed November 29, 2024
[vi] Center for Health Protection. Number of deaths by main causes of death. https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/statistics/data/10/27/380.html. Accessed November 29, 2024
[vii] Ministry of Health. Health Status and Health Services Tables 2022 https://www.dh.gov.hk/english/pub_rec/pub_rec_ar/pdf/2223/supplementary_table2022.pdf. Accessed November 29, 2024
[viii] World Health Organisation. Pneumonia in children. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/pneumonia. Accessed November 29, 2024
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