Wyeth Applauds GAVI Alliance's Decision To Fund Pneumococcal Vaccine For Developing Countries

Main Category: Immune System / Vaccines
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Aid / Disasters;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 01 Dec 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE), welcomes the GAVI Alliance's (formerly Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization) announcement approving funds to support the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in GAVI Fund- eligible countries within the developing world. This decision was taken at the Nov. 29 GAVI Board meeting in Berlin.

This action reflects GAVI's recognition of the critical health consequences of pneumococcal disease, which causes more than one million deaths each year in young children, most of whom are in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pneumococcal disease is the number one vaccine-preventable cause of death in children younger than five years of age worldwide.

"This decision brings much needed attention to the global burden of pneumococcal disease," says Bernard Poussot, President and Vice Chairman, Wyeth. "We look forward to working with GAVI and other stakeholders on this important initiative, which will help protect children in developing countries against the devastating consequences of pneumococcal disease."

Wyeth is committed to helping protect infants and young children against pneumococcal disease and currently markets the only pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PREVNAR(R), Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine, (Diphtheria CRM197 Protein). PREVNAR is now commercially available in more than 70 countries worldwide, and has been included in national immunization schedules in 14 countries. In the pivotal efficacy trial of more than 37,000 children, PREVNAR demonstrated 97 percent efficacy (per protocol analysis) against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in infants and young children. Three years after the routine use of PREVNAR in the United States, core surveillance sites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted a 94 percent reduction in vaccine-type IPD in children younger than five years.

An analysis of a Wyeth investigational 9-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV9) trial in The Gambia demonstrated a 71 percent reduction in IPD cases caused by the serotypes in the vaccine and a 35 percent reduction in first episode of radiologically confirmed pneumonia.

In addition, Wyeth is now developing a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that targets additional serotypes, and is designed to provide broader coverage against pneumococcal disease. This new vaccine currently is undergoing clinical development and, if approved, would potentially offer broader serotype coverage against pneumococcal disease.

About Pneumococcal Disease

Caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, pneumococcal disease describes a group of illnesses, including bacteremia/sepsis, meningitis and bacteremic pneumonia. Pneumococcal disease affects both children and adults and is a major cause of death and illness worldwide.

Important Safety Information about PREVNAR

In clinical trials (n=18,168), the most frequently reported adverse events included injection site reactions, fever (greater than or equal to 38 degrees C/100.4 degrees F), irritability, drowsiness, restless sleep, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and rash.

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.

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, has leading products in the areas of women's health care, cardiovascular disease, central nervous system, inflammation, transplantation, hemophilia, oncology, vaccines and nutritional products. 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.

Wyeth
http://www.wyeth.com

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