Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images News
Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced that a group of independent advisors to the U.S. CDC unanimously voted to recommend its newly approved pneumonia vaccine, Capvaxive, for adults aged 65 years and older.
The decision comes days after the FDA approved the 21-valent conjugate vaccine for preventing invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumococcal pneumonia in adults.
The decision by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) marks a crucial step before the vaccine’s market rollout.
CDC advisory committees issue non-binding recommendations. However, the federal agency usually follows them before making a final decision.
Specifically, the ACIP has recommended a single dose of Capvaxive for adults aged 65 years and older who haven’t previously received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and whose vaccination history is unknown.
They have also recommended the vaccine for certain adults aged 19–64 under specific conditions.
According to the ACIP recommendation, a person 65 years of age and older should consult a healthcare provider when deciding to use a supplemental dose of Capvaxive (shared clinical decision-making).