ACIP toughens recommendations for PCV13

Some children and adolescents with certain high-risk conditions should receive the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, according to a recommendation from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Patients aged 6 to 18 years who require immunosuppressive medication, are immunocompromised, have cochlear implants, asplenia, HIV, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, chronic renal failure and nephrotic syndrome who have not previously received PCV13 (Prevnar 13, Pfizer), should receive a single dose of the vaccine, regardless of having previously received 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar, Pfizer) or 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, according to the committee.

The committee’s recommendation followed a presentation on the evidence to support the vaccine’s use that was given by Tamara Pilishvili, MPH, of the Respiratory Diseases Branch, National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases at CDC, who serves as a liason to the ACIP Pneumococcal Work Group.

Pilishvili said although the population of children who have these medical conditions is small, they are at increased risk for severe disease. She added that a routine PCV13 recommendation for this group harmonizes the ACIP recommendations with those recommendations for high-risk adults.

Disclosure: Pilishvili reports no relevant financial disclosures.