Loading...
In December 2011, the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) received FDA approval for use in adults aged ≥50, under the Accelerated Approval Pathway. In February 2012, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) applied the CDC's new evidence-based framework (GRADE) in considering PCV13 for use in patients aged ≥65 and adults with immunocompromising conditions. Although the older 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) is already approved for use in these populations, immune response is suboptimal, and the burden of pneumococcal disease remains high. Researchers anticipate that the conjugate vaccine will improve protection against disease caused by the vaccine serotypes.
In trials, PCV13 had shown noninfe…