Prevenar 13 launched in first childhood immunization program for PD in Nicaragua

Dec 13 2010

Pfizer Inc. announced that Prevenar 13 (Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine [13-valent, adsorbed]) was introduced into the first childhood immunization program for pneumococcal disease (PD) in the developing world under the auspices of the Advance Market Commitment (AMC) when Nicaragua launched its program today.  The AMC is an innovative program which involves private-public partnerships to help make newer vaccines available on a sustainable, affordable and accelerated basis to the least developed countries.

"Pfizer remains steadfast in its commitment to accelerate global access to its vaccines and medicines; public-private partnerships such as those that underpin the AMC are a great example of how to make critical progress in that area," says Mark Swindell, president, Pfizer Vaccines.  "It truly is historic to see a new vaccine such as Prevenar 13 launched in a developing country within one year of its introduction in the U.S. and Europe, given the previous average 15-year gap between introduction of new vaccines in developed and developing countries."

Prevenar 13 provides coverage against the 13 most prevalent invasive pneumococcal disease-causing strains (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F) in infants and young children worldwide.  Prevenar 13 is the only pneumococcal conjugate vaccine available under the AMC that is prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for use in children through 5 years of age and to help prevent pneumonia caused by the 13 serotypes contained in the vaccine.