GSK: Analysis shows potential of combination vaccines

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced the result of an analysis of study data from the Georgia State Medicaid programme relating to infants who have received at least one injection of Pediarix – a diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis adsorbed, hepatitis B (recombinant) and inactivated poliovirus vaccine combined – or Comvax – haemophilus b conjugate (meningococcal protein conjugate) and hepatitis B (recombinant) vaccine.

The analysis showed that these patients had a higher coverage rate of immunisation for vaccines studied in their first two years of life compared to those that have not received either of these two combination vaccines.

Published in the Paediatric Infectious Disease Journal, the study of 18,821 infant records found that children receiving at least one dose of Comvax or Pediarix had increased rates of coverage for a range of vaccine series, including four diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccine doses and three polio vaccine doses.

Dr Gary Marshall, professor of paediatrics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, said: “The routine immunization schedule for children has grown more complex as new vaccines have been added.

“While this is good news in the sense that it means more protection against disease, it also means more difficulty delivering the shots.”

He added that analysis of this recently collated data indicates that completion of recommended vaccine series can be facilitated with a reduced number of injections using combination vaccines.

Earlier this month, GSK announced the results of a phase II clinical trial showing that its Hib-MenCY-TT had met its safety and immunogenicity endpoints.