NEW YORK - The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has voted to recommend the broader use of Pfizer Inc.'s (NYSE: NYSE:PFE) pneumococcal vaccine, PREVNAR 20®, for adults aged 50 and above. This expanded recommendation also includes adults aged 19-49 with certain underlying conditions or risk factors who have not previously received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) or whose vaccination history is unknown. The recommendation awaits final approval from the CDC director and the Department of Health and Human Services.
The decision by ACIP to extend the use of pneumococcal vaccines to include all adults aged 50 and older is a significant step in the ongoing effort to reduce the impact of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), which includes conditions like bacteremia and meningitis, as well as pneumococcal pneumonia. In the U.S., the 20 serotypes targeted by PREVNAR 20 are estimated to be responsible for over 2,000 deaths and more than 65,000 cases of IPD annually in adults aged 50 to 64. The vaccine is also noted for its protection against serotype 4, a strain that has seen increasing incidence in certain U.S. adult populations.
PREVNAR 20® is the next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine from Pfizer, containing capsular polysaccharide conjugates for 13 serotypes already included in its Prevnar 13® vaccine, plus seven additional serotypes associated with high case-fatality rates, antibiotic resistance, and/or meningitis. The vaccine received FDA approval on June 8, 2021, for the prevention of IPD and pneumococcal pneumonia in adults aged 18 years and older. On September 30, 2022, the FDA approved the addition of information in the PREVNAR 20 prescribing information regarding coadministration with an influenza vaccine in adults aged 65 years or older.
The ACIP's recommendation is based on the vaccine's potential to provide significant protection against invasive disease caused by the pneumococcus bacterium. Pfizer's Senior Vice President, Luis Jodar, PhD, emphasized the importance of the ACIP's decision in the company's commitment to combat the life-threatening disease.
Pfizer's statement also includes important safety information for PREVNAR 20®, advising against its use in individuals with severe allergic reactions to any component of the vaccine or to diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccines. The vaccine's safety data for individuals with weakened immune systems are not yet available.
This news is based on a press release statement from Pfizer Inc. and reflects the latest developments in the immunization guidelines for pneumococcal disease in the United States.
In other recent news, Pfizer Inc. has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the expanded use of its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, ABRYSVO®, for adults aged 18 through 59. This decision broadens the vaccine's indication, which already covers individuals 60 years and older and pregnant individuals during their third trimester. Pfizer has also gained FDA approval for its new hemophilia drug, HYMPAVZI, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of the disease.
In a move to strengthen its leadership team, Pfizer has welcomed Mortimer (Tim) J. Buckley to its Board of Directors. However, the company has faced criticism from Starboard Value, with the CEO expressing dissatisfaction with Pfizer's performance. Consequently, Starboard has requested a special committee to investigate claims of coercive actions against former Pfizer executives.
On the financial front, Pfizer declared a Q4 cash dividend of $0.42 per share, marking their 344th consecutive quarterly payment. This underlines Pfizer's financial stability. Furthermore, financial research firm CFRA has revised upwards the earnings forecasts for Pfizer, indicating a positive outlook for the company's financial future. These are the recent developments at Pfizer.
InvestingPro Insights
Pfizer's recent ACIP recommendation for broader use of PREVNAR 20® aligns with several key financial metrics and insights from InvestingPro. The company's market capitalization stands at $163.31 billion, reflecting its significant position in the pharmaceutical industry.
One InvestingPro Tip highlights that Pfizer "has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years," demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns even as it invests in innovative vaccines like PREVNAR 20®. This is further supported by the current dividend yield of 5.83%, which InvestingPro Data indicates is substantial for the sector.
Another relevant InvestingPro Tip notes that "net income is expected to grow this year." This projection could be influenced by the potential increased adoption of PREVNAR 20® following the ACIP's recommendation, which may contribute to Pfizer's revenue growth.
The company's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 was $55.17 billion, with a gross profit margin of 60.16%. These figures suggest Pfizer has the financial capacity to support the production and distribution of PREVNAR 20® on a larger scale.
It's worth noting that InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for Pfizer, providing investors with a more comprehensive analysis of the company's financial health and market position.
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