Pneumococcal

Reasons for supporting the lowering of the age-based pneumococcal vaccine recommendation included the likelihood it would increase vaccination rates in multiple age groups and demographics.

Known to be a leading cause of mortality worldwide, cigarette smoke exposure can make the respiratory tract more susceptible to pneumococcal infection.

The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice voted to expand the recommendation, which includes Prevnar 20 and Capvaxive.

Data presented at IDWeek also showed greater disease-prevention effects in the community with PCV21 compared with prior pneumococcal vaccines.

The panel of pneumococcal vaccination experts offer their concluding insights and perspectives on the current landscape of pneumococcal vaccines.

The key opinion leaders explore effective methods for educating patients about pneumococcal vaccination, highlighting its importance and benefits, while also addressing the impact of COVID-19 on vaccine hesitancy and potential fatigue in the general population.

The panel explores potential barriers to administering newer pneumococcal vaccines, such as payer coverage and patient concerns, while also discussing effective strategies for patient education and emphasizing the necessity and benefits of pneumococcal immunization.

The key opinion leaders examine the recent approval of PCV21, assessing its potential influence on pneumococcal vaccination strategies, while also identifying and discussing current unmet needs in the field of pneumococcal vaccination.

The vaccination experts analyze the impact of currently approved pneumococcal vaccines on otitis media prevention and compare the newer conjugate vaccines (PCV15 and PCV20) to their predecessors in terms of strain coverage and clinical efficacy.

Key opinion leaders examine the pivotal clinical data that supported the FDA approvals of PCV15, PCV20, and PCV21, while also explaining the differences between polysaccharide and conjugate pneumococcal vaccines in terms of their induced immune responses and the durability of protection they offer.

The medical experts explore the importance of receiving PCV20 following PCV13 and PPSV23 vaccinations, while also delving into the broader discussion of how sequential administration of these pneumococcal vaccines may potentially enhance protection against targeted strains.

The panel of experts examines the most recent ACIP recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination in adults aged 65 and older, highlighting key updates and changes to the guidelines.

Krista D. Capehart, PharmD, BCACP, FAPhA, Dr. Capeheart outlines the patient populations for whom pneumococcal vaccines are indicated and provides a detailed explanation of the ACIP-recommended immunization schedules for these vaccines.

The pneumococcal vaccination experts offer a comparative analysis of the five FDA-approved pneumococcal vaccines, focusing on their structural differences and the specific strains each vaccine targets.

The committee, after being presented evidence by the working group, recommended the vaccine for adults aged 65 and older and those 19 or older who have current recommendations to receive a pneumococcal vaccine.

V116 (Capvaxive; Merck) elicited higher immune responses than the comparator for the serotypes that are unique to the vaccine, according to studies submitted to the FDA.

Serotypes associated with V116 (Merck & Co. Inc.) had higher clinical and economic burden for individuals with invasive pneumococcal disease.

Pediatric patients with rheumatic disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, juvenile dermatomyositis, and systemic vasculitis are at an increased risk of serious infection.

The prevalence of transmission was higher for those who had contact with children aged less than 5 years and aged 5 to 9 years compared with children aged older than 10.

The vaccine protected against serotypes 19A and 19F, but statistical significance was not reached for serotype 3.

Merck presented results from the STRIDE-10 phase 3 trial at the 34th European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona, Spain.

Investigators found that younger age groups had significantly longer lengths of stay compared to those older than 75 years.

Investigators also found that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13 protected against nasopharyngeal carriage in children and provided some indirect protection for adults.

Investigators found that older adults, adults with dementia, and adults with altered mental status were more likely to be inappropriately diagnosed with CAP when hospitalized.

New indications include Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream (SAB) infections, acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.