Merck announces CDC panel votes to update pneumococcal vaccination recommendations

Merck has announced the advisory committee on immunisation practices (ACIP) of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) voted to recommend that adults between the ages of 19 and 64 with asthma receive the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine known as Pneumovax 23.

The company explains it is the only firm to supply Pneumovax in the USA and the ACIP based its suggestions on trial data which showed an increased risk of pneumococcal disease among people who suffer from the condition.

Merck notes the ACIP also voted to recommend people between 19 and 64 who are smokers should receive the vaccine as well as smoking-cessation counselling.

“This recommendation is the first time the ACIP has recommended a vaccine specifically for people who smoke. The ACIP stated that people at increased risk for invasive pneumococcal disease include those who smoke cigarettes,” the company explains.

Merck states the ACIP recommendation is based on data which demonstrated smokers are around four times more at risk for the disease that those who do not smoke.

In recent days, the company announced its RotateQ vaccine has been awarded pre-qualification status by the World Health Organisation.