Merck gets EMA Committee positive opinion for Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine in infants, children

Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus. While there are more than 100 different types of S. pneumoniae, called serotypes, a selected number of serotypes are responsible for the majority of pneumococcal infections. Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) can cause serious and potentially life-threatening infections such as bacteremia (infection in the bloodstream); bacteremic pneumonia (pneumonia with bacteremia); and meningitis (infection of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord).

The CHMP opinion was based on data from eight randomized, double-blind clinical studies that enrolled approximately 8,400 individuals from a variety of pediatric populations and clinical circumstances; of these, approximately 5,400 received VAXNEUVANCE.

In July 2021, VAXNEUVANCE received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for active immunization for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F and 33F in adults 18 years of age and older, and in June 2022, the FDA approved an expanded indication for VAXNEUVANCE to include individuals 6 weeks through 17 years of age.

VAXNEUVANCE is indicated in the U.S. for active immunization of individuals 6 weeks of age and older for the prevention of invasive disease caused by the S. pneumoniae serotypes contained in the vaccine.

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