A key panel of U.S. health advisers recently voted to lower the age recommendation for pneumococcal vaccines developed by Pfizer Inc. and Merck & Co., setting the stage for broader usage. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted overwhelmingly, 14-to-1, to recommend that all adults aged 50 and older receive pneumococcal vaccines. These vaccines protect against bacterial infections, particularly those responsible for pneumonia and meningitis. CDC Director Mandy Cohen endorsed the recommendation, signaling significant changes in vaccination guidelines.

Previously, CDC guidelines recommended pneumococcal vaccines only for adults aged 65 and older, along with children under five. These vaccines were also suggested for certain groups, including adults and children who are immunocompromised, such as those with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems. Both Pfizer and Merck had petitioned the CDC to expand the age recommendation to include adults 50 and older, as the companies seek to increase vaccine uptake among a wider population.

For Pfizer, this development offers an opportunity to bolster its revenue amid waning sales from its COVID-19-related products. Pfizer’s pneumococcal vaccine, Prevnar, is a significant source of income, generating approximately $6 billion in annual sales. Expanding the eligible age group to include those 50 and above could further enhance these earnings.

However, Pfizer now faces increasing competition from Merck, which recently introduced its own pneumococcal vaccine called Capvaxive. Capvaxive offers protection against bacterial strains that account for about 84% of adult pneumococcal disease cases, while Pfizer's Prevnar covers roughly 50% of such strains. This increased competition could reshape the market landscape as both companies vie for a larger share of the vaccine market.

The CDC’s decision to broaden the age group eligible for these vaccines reflects growing concerns about pneumococcal disease in adults. Pneumonia and meningitis, the two main conditions caused by pneumococcal bacteria, pose a particular risk to older populations, and public health officials see vaccination as a key preventive measure. The ACIP’s recommendation aligns with efforts to protect older adults from these potentially life-threatening infections and could contribute to a significant reduction in hospitalizations and fatalities related to pneumococcal disease.

By broadening the vaccine recommendation, the CDC also aims to lessen the burden on the healthcare system, especially as respiratory illnesses like pneumonia become more prevalent with aging populations. The move highlights the importance of preventive healthcare measures and reflects an ongoing effort to adapt vaccination strategies to evolving public health needs

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)