PCV13 did not interfere with other routine vaccines

Children’s immune responses to vaccines in the routine immunization schedule were comparable with both the 7-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, according to results of two studies published online.

Kristina A. Bryant, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Louisville, and colleagues said, overall, the results demonstrate that PCV13 (Prevnar13, Wyeth) does not interfere with concomitant vaccine antigens when administered during the first 6 months of life or at 12 to 15 months of age.

The researchers analyzed data from two studies (Study 004 and Study 3005) that included infants and toddlers who received either PCV13 or PCV7 (Prevnar, Wyeth) at ages 2, 4 and 6 months, along with other routine immunizations, including hepatitis B, diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis, poliovirus and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines; measles-mumps-rubella, varicella, Hib and hepatitis A vaccines were also given at age 12 to 15 months.

The vaccine immunogenicity populations included 504 infants (n=252 for PCV13; n=252 for PCV7) and 462 toddlers (n=239 for PCV13; n=223 for PCV7) for Study 004, and 385 infants (n= 189 for PCV13; n=196 for PCV7) and 336 toddlers (n=163 for PCV13; n=173 for PCV7) for Study 3005.

“Immunoglobulin G antibody geometric mean concentration/titer ratios … met predetermined noninferiority criteria,” according to the researchers.

The researchers noted some limitations, including that hepatitis A immune responses “were not measured because only the first dose of the two dose hepatitis A vaccination series was given concomitantly with PCV.” Bryant and colleagues said the study also did not “evaluate coadministration of PCV13 with trivalent, inactivated influenza vaccine because of the seasonal nature of influenza vaccine. Also, these studies were not designed to assess coadministration of PCV13 with diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis antigens in toddlers.”

Regardless, the researchers said, their findings may put to rest some concerns about possible interference between PCV13 and other vaccines.

Disclosure: The studies were sponsored by Wyeth, which was acquired by Pfizer, the manufacturer of the pneumococcal vaccines.