New hope for pneumococcal vaccine for over-50s
A PNEUMOCOCCAL jab which could save thousands of lives among the over 50s has been licensed in Europe, it was revealed today.
Pfizer's Prevenar 13 vaccine will offer this vulnerable age group increased protection against pneumococcal infection which can cause life-threatening conditions such as meningitis and septicaemia. It can also cause pneumonia and nose and ear infections.
The vaccine has been tested in early clinical trials involving more than 6,000 adults and has showed a better immune response than the current vaccine used to protect over-65s in the UK.
The vaccine is currently undergoing further trials which will determine by early 2013 whether it will be introduced into the UK's immunisation programme. It is hoped that the vaccine can be fast-tracked so it will be available early next year to protect those at high risk of infection such as people with HIV and renal disease.
Young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting pneumococcal disease.
This new vaccine was introduced among the under-fives in 2006 and has already prevented hundreds of deaths and illness among children.
Kate Rowland, head of development at Meningitis UK, said: "We welcome this news as this vaccine has the potential to save lives among a vulnerable group of the population who are living longer.
"Pneumococcal disease has a terrible burden on society - especially among the over 50s. Pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia is one of the most dangerous forms of the disease, killing more of the older generation per thousand than children.
"We have already seen positive results from the pneumococcal vaccine among the under fives and we readily support any vaccine that is safe and can protect older generations as we see the direct impact meningitis has on families every day.
"While this is fantastic news, there is still work to be done to find vaccines to protect against the strains of the disease which this vaccine doesn't prevent."
Pneumococcal meningitis is the second most common form of bacterial meningitis in the UK.
Although pneumococcal meningitis is less common than meningococcal meningitis, it is a lot more life-threatening.
Jeremy Brown, Reader in Respiratory Infection and a member Meningitis UK scientific advisory panel, said: "The pneumococcus is a major cause of serious infections in both children and in adults. As well as probably causing the majority of cases of pneumonia, the pneumococcus is also the most common cause of meningitis in adults.
"It is associated with particularly severe disease, and has a mortality of up to 50% and survivors frequently have significant brain damage. We welcome the approval for the use of the conjugated pneumococcal vaccine in the over 50 age group as this offers a potential way of preventing severe pneumococcal infections such as meningitis in adults."
Meningitis UK's vision is to put a stop to meningitis. The charity funds preventative research across the UK to achieve this aim. For more information or to request a free symptoms information pack, please call 0117 947 6320 or visit www.meningitisUK.org
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