Pfizer’s Prevenar 13 receives European labelling update

Pfizer has announced that the European Commission has approved a new update to the label of its pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevenar 13.

The summary of product characteristics for the vaccine has been amended to include new information regarding its use in certain populations at high risk of pneumococcal disease, such as preterm infants, young people with sickle cell disease and HIV-infected adults.

Clinical trials have revealed differences in the performance of the vaccine among these patient groups, making it necessary to provide guidance on these variations in order to inform treatment decisions.

Dr Luis Jodar, vice-president for vaccines for Pfizer's global medicines development group and scientific affairs division, said: "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 healthcare professionals who care for these patients."

This comes after the vaccine received approval for an expanded indication earlier this year, allowing it to be administered to young people aged between six and 17 years.