Pfizer has obtained the European Commission approval for the use of Prevenar 13 vaccine in older children and adolescents aged six to 17 years for the prevention of pneumococcal disease.
Single dose of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is used for active immunization against pneumonia and acute otitis media caused by vaccine-type Streptococcus pneumonia in individuals falling under expanded age groups.
Pfizer vaccine research chief scientific officer Emilio Emini said, "Prevenar 13 has been administered to millions of infants and young children around the world and helps protect against the often fatal effects of pneumococcal disease."
The approval was based on the positive efficacy and safety data obtained from Phase 3 trial of Prevenar 13 conducted in 592 healthy children and adolescents.
Pfizer vaccines global medicines development group vice president Luis Jodar said, "Children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 with underlying medical conditions have an increased risk of pneumococcal disease."
