A recommendation for use of the 13-valent pneumococcal
conjugate vaccine in adults aged 65 years and older remains unresolved, and the
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Working Group suggest
additional data are needed.
“Critical data are not currently available and what
are available are insufficient,” Tamara Pilishvili, MD, of the
CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said
during the meeting.
The Pneumococcal Work Group will continue evaluating
data, according to Pilishvili, and within the next month will publish data in
the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that will outline the
rationale for waiting on a recommendation in adults. Data from ongoing trials
are expected in 2013.
William Schaffner, MD
Also at issue was the use of the vaccine in
immunocompromised adults aged 18 and older. Kathleen Dooling, MD, MPH,
of the CDC, presented data backing considerations for PCV13 (Prevnar 13,
Wyeth) in this subset of patients.
“No decision was made at this time for use of PCV13
in adults,” William Schaffner, MD, Working Group member and
Infectious Disease News Editorial Board member, said in an interview.
“The area of greatest interest, at the moment, that is closest to having a
recommendation is in immunocompromised adults, and perhaps by extension
adolescents. It looks like this will happen in June.”