NEW 13-VALENT PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE PUBLICLY FUNDED AND AVAILABLE TO ALL CANADIAN CHILDREN

Kirkland, QC – April 26, 2011 – The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recently issued a recommendation on the use of Prevnar 13 [Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine (Diphtheria CRM₁₉₇ Protein)] as the product of choice for the routine infant immunization scheduleⁱ in an update on the use of childhood conjugate pneumococcal vaccines. The Grade A Recommendation from NACIⁱⁱ  was followed by implementation of publicly funded programs for the vaccine in Ontario and Quebec, rounding out complete Canadian provincial and territorial coverage.

Health Canada approved Prevnar 13 for children aged six weeks through five years for active immunization against Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F, causing invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in December 2009. IPD is a bacterial infection that can include meningitis, sepsis, bacteremic pneumonia, pleural empyema and bacteremia.ⁱⁱⁱ

Prevnar 13 includes the seven serotypes found in Prevnar (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F) as well as six additional serotypes (1, 3, 5, 6A, 7F and 19A).

ABOUT PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pneumococcal disease is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable death worldwide in children younger than five years and is estimated to cause up to one million deaths in children each year.^iv

Pneumococcal disease describes a group of illnesses caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.^v  Pneumococcal disease includes invasive infections such as bacteremia, sepsis and meningitis, as well as pneumonia and acute otitis media.^vi

ABOUT PREVNAR [Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine (Diphtheria CRM197 Protein)]
Prevnar 13 has been approved for use in infants and young children in more than 70 countries, including Canada.  Prevnar (7-valent) was first approved in Canada in 2001. 

More than 350 million doses of Pfizer’s pneumococcal conjugate vaccines have been distributed worldwide, including approximately nine million doses in Canada.

ABOUT PFIZER CANADA
Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., the world's leading biopharmaceutical company. The company is one of the largest contributors to health research in Canada. Our diversified health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world’s best-known consumer products.

Every day, Pfizer Canada employees work to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. We apply science and our global resources to improve the health and well being of Canadians at every stage of life.

Our commitment is reflected in everything Pfizer does, from our disease awareness initiatives to our community partnerships, to our belief that it takes more than medication to be truly healthy. To learn more about Pfizer’s More than Medication philosophy and programs, visit morethanmedication.ca. To learn more about Pfizer Canada, visit www.pfizer.ca.   

For more information please contact:

Ethan Pigott
beSPEAK Communications 
(416) 558-2783    
ethan@bespeakcommunications.com 

Leah Olson
Pfizer Canada
(514) 693-4655
Leah.Olson@pfizer.com

REFERENCES
ⁱ Canadian Communicable Diseases Report – November 2010, Volume 36: ACS 12, National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Update on the Use of Conjugate Pneumococcal Vaccines in Childhood.
ⁱⁱ Canadian Communicable Diseases Report – November 2010, Volume 36: ACS 12, National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Update on the Use of Conjugate Pneumococcal Vaccines in Childhood.
ⁱⁱⁱ Prevnar 13 Canadian Product Monograph
^iv WHO/2007/94/ C/7-10
^v CDC Pink Book /2008/Chapter 15/218/F and 219/M
^vi Canadian Coalition for Immunization and Awareness - http://www.immunize.cpha.ca/en/diseases-vaccines/pneumococcal.aspx