Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Share by Email
Print
(HealthDay News) – The immunogenicity of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is not significantly different for most serotypes when administered according to four different primary immunization schedules, according to a study published in the Sept. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Judith Spijkerman, MD, from the University Medical Center in Utrecht, Netherlands, and colleagues compared the immunogenicity of PCV13 in four immunization schedules to assess the optimal primary vaccination schedule. A total of 400 infants were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive PCV at ages 2, 4, and 6 months (2-4-6); ages 3 and 5 months (3-5); ages 2, 3, and 4 months (2-3-4); or ages 2 and 4 months (2-4). All infants had a booster dose at 11.5 months. The primary outcome measure was antibody geometric mean concentrations against PCV13-included serotypes, measured one month after the booster dose.
The researchers found that for 70 of 78 comparisons the primary outcome was not significantly different between the schedules. For serotypes 18C and 23F, the 2-4-6 schedule was superior to the 2-3-4 schedule. For serotypes 6B, 18C, and 23F, the 2-4-6 schedule was superior to the 2-4 schedule. The 3-5 schedule was superior to the other schedules for serotype 1.
“Parents should not delay vaccinating their children to obtain a specific vaccine,” pediatrician Henry Bernstein, DO, a coauthor of the recommendations, said in a statement. “Influenza virus is unpredictable, and what’s most important is that people receive the vaccine soon, so that they will be protected when the virus begins circulating.”
Two authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
