MADISON, N.J., July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an updated recommendation that all healthy children under 24 months of age should receive at least three doses of Prevnar(R), Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine (Diphtheria CRM197 Protein).
Prevnar is the first and only vaccine approved to help prevent invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in young children.
Routinely, Prevnar is approved to be given in a 4-dose series at 2, 4, 6 and 12 to 15 months of age. However, in response to a shortage of vaccine, the CDC had issued recommendations earlier this year that health care providers temporarily suspend the 3rd and 4th doses for healthy children. In today’s announcement, those recommendations have been revised to reinstate administration of the 3rd dose. Children with chronic illnesses or who are at increased risk for severe diseases should continue to receive the 4-dose series.
Parents should contact their child’s physician if their child has missed his or her third dose of Prevnar. Physicians are urged to proactively call back those children who may have missed doses.
“An increased supply of Prevnar is now available due to manufacturing improvements and added capacity,” says Joe Mahady, President Wyeth North America and Global Business. “In addition to these improvements, we will focus on assisting physicians in implementing a call-back strategy to help ensure that children who had doses deferred do receive their 3rd dose.”
About Prevnar
Prevnar is indicated for active immunization of infants and toddlers against invasive disease caused by S. pneumoniae due to the capsular serotypes included in the vaccine. The routine schedule is 4 doses, given at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months of age.
Risks are associated with all vaccines, including Prevnar. Hypersensitivity to any vaccine component, including diphtheria toxoid, is a contraindication to its use. Prevnar does not provide 100 percent protection against vaccine serotypes or protect against nonvaccine serotypes. See Prescribing Information for indications and usage, dosage and administration, and safety information.
About Wyeth
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth , has leading products in the areas of women’s health care, cardiovascular disease, central nervous system, inflammation, hemophilia, oncology, and vaccines. Wyeth is one of the world’s largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products, and non-prescription medicines that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company’s major divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, and Fort Dodge Animal Health.
The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on current expectations of future events that involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, risks associated with the inherent uncertainty of the timing and success of pharmaceutical research, product development, manufacturing, commercialization, economic conditions including interest and currency exchange rate fluctuations, changes in generally accepted accounting principles, the impact of competitive or generic products, trade-buying patterns, wars or terrorist acts, product liability and other types of lawsuits, the impact of legislation and regulatory compliance and obtaining reimbursement, favorable drug pricing, access and other approvals, environmental liabilities, and patent, and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in the Company’s periodic reports, including current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Wyeth
CONTACT: Media, Jenifer Antonacci +1-484-865-5220, or Natalie De Vane,+1-484-865-5139, both of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals; or Lowell Weiner of Wyeth,+1-973-660-5013; or Investors, Justin Victoria of Wyeth, +1-973-660-5340
Web site: http://www.wyeth.com/