PNEUMOCOCCAL POLYSACCHARIDE CONJUGATE VACCINE, 13-valent adsorbed, injection, 0.5 mL, pre-filled syringe, Prevenar-13®
Page last updated: 22 October 2010
Public Summary Document
Product: PNEUMOCOCCAL POLYSACCHARIDE CONJUGATE
VACCINE, 13-valent adsorbed, injection, 0.5 mL, pre-filled syringe,
Prevenar-13®
Sponsor: Wyeth Australia Pty Limited
Date of PBAC Consideration: July 2010
1. Purpose of Application
The submission sought listing on the National Immunisation Program
(NIP), as a replacement for Prevenar (7-valent pneumococcal
vaccine), for vaccination against pneumococcal disease in
infants.
2. Background
Prevenar 13, the 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine, had not previously
been considered by the PBAC.
3. Registration Status
Prevenar 13 was TGA registered on 29 March 2010 for active
immunisation for the prevention of disease caused by
Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F,
9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F (including invasive disease,
pneumonia and acute otitis media) in infants and children from 6
weeks up to 5 years of age.
4. Listing Requested and PBAC’s View
The submission stated that it is intended that Prevenar 13 will
replace Prevenar on the NIP and the requested NIP indication is the
same as Prevenar as follows:
“Immunisation against pneumococcal disease in infants and
children at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, with medically at risk
children receiving a fourth dose at 12 months.”
5. Clinical Place for the Proposed Therapy
S.pneumoniae is a bacterial pathogen responsible
for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) such as bacteraemia and
meningitis and non-invasive pneumococcal disease (non-IPD) such as
pneumonia, acute otitis media and sinusitis depending on the site
of infection. IPD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality
particularly in children aged less than 2 years, with a 20%
case-fatality rate for pneumococcal meningitis. IPD caused by
serotypes not covered by the currently available vaccines,
predominantly 19A, have been increasing.
It was proposed that Prevenar 13 would provide an alternative
13-valent conjugate vaccine with broader serotype coverage against
pneumococcal disease for vaccination of infants and children
compared to the 7-valent (Prevenar) and 10-valent (Synflorix)
vaccines currently listed on the NIP.
6. Comparator
The submission nominated Prevenar (three dose schedule, 3+0) as the
main comparator and Synflorix (four dose schedule, 3+1) vaccine as
a secondary comparator.
For PBAC’s view, see Recommendation and
Reasons.
7. Clinical Trials
The submission presented five randomised trials (004, 006, 011,
003, 3005) for the primary comparison of Prevenar 13 and Prevenar
in infants receiving a primary series of pneumococcal vaccination
(3 dose vaccination schedule).
Supportive evidence for the secondary indirect comparison was based
on two trials (Vesikari and Wysocki) comparing a four dose schedule
(3+1) of Synflorix with a four dose schedule (3+1) of Prevenar. All
trials reported immunogenicity outcomes only.
The trials included in the submission are in the table below.
| Trial ID / First author | Protocol title / Publication title | Publication citation |
| 004 | CSR 6096A1-004 | 28 August 2008 |
| 006 | CSR 6096A1-006/ CSR-69237 Infant | 1 August 2008 |
| 003 | CSR 6096A1-003/ CSR-62926 Infant and Toddler | 7 July 2008 |
| 011 | CSR 6096A1-011/ CSR-70616 Infant Cohort 1 | 10 October 2008 |
| 3005 | CSR6096A1-009/ CSR-74251 Infant | 6 November 2008 |
| Vesikari T, et al | Immunogenicity of the 10-Valent Pneumococcal Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae Protein D Conjugate Vaccine (PHiD-CV) Compared to the Licensed 7vCRM Vaccine. | The Paediatric Infectious Disease Journal 2009; 28(4): S66-S76. |
| Wysocki J, et al | Immunogenicity of the 10-Valent Pneumococcal Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae Protein D Conjugate Vaccine (PHiD-CV) When Coadministered With Different Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup C Conjugate Vaccines | The Paediatric Infectious Disease Journal 2009; 28(4): S77-S88. |
8. Results of Trials
Comparative efficacy was assessed using four surrogate outcome
measures in both the primary (versus Prevenar) and secondary
(versus Synflorix) comparison:
- Immunoglobulin G (IgG) responders using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for assessment of immunogenicity. Differences in immune response (IgG antibody concentration) between Prevenar 13 and Prevenar were expressed in terms of the percentage of subjects with pneumococcal antibody concentrations of ≥0.35µg/mL. Non-inferiority was demonstrated if the lower limit of the 2-sided 95% confidence interval of the difference between groups (Prevenar 13 minus Prevenar) was ≤ -10%. The difference in responder rates between Prevenar 13 and Synflorix in the indirect comparison was expressed in terms of both ≥0.35µg/ml and ≥0.2µg/ml.
- Mean geometric concentration (GMC) using ELISA. Differences between Prevenar 13 and Prevenar or Synflorix were expressed as the ratio of the GMCs for each serotype. Non-inferiority was demonstrated if the lower limit of the 2-sided 95% CI of the ratio was ≥0.5 (2-fold test).
- OPA responders measured by opsonophagocytic assay (OPA). Differences between Prevenar 13 and Prevenar or Synflorix were expressed in terms of the percentage of subjects achieving an OPA antibody titre of ≥1:8.
- Mean geometric titre (GMT) measured by OPA. Differences between Prevenar 13 and Prevenar or Synflorix, were expressed as the ratio of the GMTs for each serotype.
Trial results were reported separately and pooled according to the
vaccination schedule;
1) studies that used a 2-4-6 month vaccination schedule and 2) all
studies.
Primary Comparison: Prevenar 13(3+0) versus Prevenar (3+0)
ELISA IgG Responders
Based on the all trial pooled analysis of ELISA IgG responders,
non-inferiority was demonstrated for all common serotypes and five
out of the six additional serotypes in Prevenar 13 when compared to
Prevenar. However, non-inferiority was not demonstrated for
serotype 3. ELISA GMC
The meta-analysis of ELISA GMC for all trials and trials with 2-4-6
month vaccine schedule demonstrated that all common serotypes met
the non inferiority criteria for the GMC ratio. Five out of the six
additional serotypes in Prevenar 13 were non-inferior compared to
Prevenar and serotype 3 did not meet the non-inferiority
criteria.
OPA Responders
The meta-analysis of OPA responders in trials 003, 004 and 006
found there were no statistically significant differences for the
percentage of subjects with OPA titres ≥1:8 for all common
serotypes. All six additional serotypes in Prevenar 13 demonstrated
statistical superiority over Prevenar.
Mean Geometric Titre
The meta-analysis of OPA GMT for all trials and trials with 2-4-6
month vaccine schedule found no statistically significant
differences for OPA responders (OPA titres ≥1:8) for serotypes
9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F. However, serotypes 4 and 6B were found to
be statistically inferior in the pooled analysis of all studies,
and serotype 4 was found to be statistically inferior in the pooled
analysis of 2-4-6 trials. All of the additional serotypes in
Prevenar 13 demonstrated statistical superiority over
Prevenar.
Secondary Comparison: Prevenar 13 (3+0) vs Synflorix (3+1)
ELISA IgG responders and GMC
The pooled results for IgG responders found no statistically
significant differences for all common serotypes in terms of both
the relative risks and absolute risk differences between Prevenar
13 and Synflorix, using Prevenar as the common reference. Among the
three additional serotypes found in Synflorix, serotypes 1 and 7F
in Prevenar 13 were statistically superior to Synflorix, while
there was a statistically non-significant difference for serotype
5. Serotypes 6A and 19A were statistically superior in Prevenar
13.
For the GMC outcome, four out of the six common serotypes
demonstrated statistical superiority in Prevenar 13. Serotype 19F
was found to be statistically inferior. All additional serotypes
were found to be statistically superior in Prevenar 13.
OPA Responders and GMT
For OPA responders, the pooled analysis found there was no
statistically significant difference for all common serotypes.
Among the additional serotypes, Prevenar 13 was statistically
inferior for 7F and statistically superior to Synflorix for 6A and
19A.
For further PBAC comments on these results, see Recommendation
and Reasons.
The safety analysis, based on 12 studies with a total of 4428
infants vaccinated with Prevenar 13 and 2457 infants vaccinated
with Prevenar, demonstrated that Prevenar 13 is non-inferior with
respect to local and general adverse events. There were no
differences in the overall adverse events during infant series,
between infant series, during toddler dose and after the toddler
dose. The incidence of serious adverse events was 4.5% or less for
each vaccine group, with most considered unrelated to the
administration of the vaccine. In total, there were 13 serious
adverse events judged by study investigators to be related to study
vaccines, seven in the Prevenar 13 groups and six in the Prevenar
group. Overall, the number of withdrawals from the trials due to
adverse events was low. Comparative safety of Prevenar 13 and
Synflorix was not assessed in the indirect comparison. The
submission did not undertake an extended assessment of comparative
harms for Prevenar 13 compared to Prevenar or Synflorix,
respectively.
9. Clinical Claim
The submission described Prevenar 13 (3+0) as non-inferior in terms
of comparative immunogenicity and non-inferior in terms of safety
over Prevenar (3+0) and Synflorix (3+1).
The submission claimed that the key incremental benefit of Prevenar
13 over Synflorix would be a substantial reduction in disease
caused by subtypes 19A and 6A. Consequently, Prevenar 13 should
provide clinically meaningful protection against IPD and non-IPD
caused by these additional serotypes.
For PBAC’s view, see Recommendation and
Reasons.
10. Economic Analysis
A stepped economic evaluation was presented. The model estimated
the number of cases of IPD (meningitis or bacteraemia), inpatient
and outpatient community acquired pneumonia (all-cause) and otitis
media (all-cause) by age group.
The results of the economic evaluations show that the number of
illnesses occurring following vaccination with Prevenar 13 is
consistently less than is estimated to occur following vaccination
with either Synflorix or Prevenar.
The submission also presented a cost-effectiveness analysis
including all costs. The submission claimed that Prevenar 13
provides additional cost-savings compared to Synflorix and Prevenar
on the basis of reduced numbers of cases of IPD, community acquired
pneumonia and otitis media.
For PBAC’s view, see Recommendation and
Reasons.
11. Estimated NIP Usage and Financial Implications
The submission estimated the likely number of patients per year to
be greater than 200,000 in Year 5. The evaluation estimated a net
cost to the NIP of less than $10 million in Year 5.
12. Recommendation and Reasons
The PBAC recommended listing on the National Immunisation Program
(NIP) of this new presentation of pneumococcal vaccine (Prevenar
13) under the same circumstances of use as the existing NIP listed
pneumococcal 7-valent vaccine (Prevenar). The PBAC further
recommended that Prevenar 13 pre-filled syringes should be priced
to achieve parity between a complete course of Prevenar 13 and a
complete course of the 10-valent vaccine (Synflorix) taking into
account the proportion of the Prevenar 13 targeted population who
will require a fourth dose and including the $7 cost of
administering this dose at an existing vaccination point.
In making this recommendation, the PBAC considered that Synflorix
is the appropriate main comparator and Prevenar a secondary
comparator, noting that, the 10-valent vaccine is the product most
similar, in terms of serotype coverage, to Prevenar 13.
Additionally, Prevenar is being removed from the NIP, so that the
two vaccines which will be available for inclusion on the NIP in
the future will be Synflorix and Prevenar 13, making the comparison
with Synflorix the most relevant for PBAC consideration.
The PBAC was satisfied that, based on the surrogate outcome data
presented in the submission and taking into account the advice from
the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI),
on-balance Prevenar 13 (3+0) is non-inferior with respect to
immunogenicity and safety to Synflorix (3+1) and Prevenar (3+0),
although some uncertainty remains as to whether the use of three
dose schedule of Prevenar 13 might be associated with reduced
immune persistence, in the common serotypes, compared to the four
dose schedule of Synflorix and the three dose schedule of
Prevenar.
The uncertainty around duration of protection arises because in the
comparison of Prevenar 13 versus Prevenar, the meta-analysis of
differences between Prevenar 13 and Prevenar using ELISA GMCs
showed that, although all common serotypes met the non inferiority
criteria for the GMC ratio, they were statistically inferior in
Prevenar 13. Additionally, the meta-analysis of differences between
Prevenar 13 and Prevenar using OPA showed Prevenar 13 to be
statistically inferior to Prevenar for serotypes 4 and 6B in the
pooled analysis of all studies, and statistically inferior for
serotype 4 in the pooled analysis of the 2-4-6 month vaccine
schedule studies. For the comparison of Prevenar 13 and Synflorix,
based on comments provided by the ATAGI, the PBAC considered there
may be a modestly higher level of immune persistence for serotypes
1, 4, 18C, 19F and 23F with the 4 dose Synflorix schedule than with
the 3 dose schedule of Prevenar 13. Taken together, these results
are suggestive of a lower duration of protection for Prevenar 13
compared to Prevenar or Synflorix.
The PBAC was sufficiently reassured by the ATAGI advice that
“assuming extrapolation from the Prevenar experience is
reasonable, the herd immunity achieved by a 3-dose primary course
of Prevenar 13 without a booster dose, is likely to substantially
reduce the actual differences in effectiveness of vaccine programs
observed at the population level following introduction of
different pneumococcal conjugate vaccines” to recommend
the Prevenar 13 be made available on the NIP on a three dose
schedule, with a fourth dose at 12 months of age for medically at
risk children.
The PBAC also considered the sponsor’s request that the
Committee acknowledge the clinical benefits claimed for Prevenar 13
over Synflorix and Prevenar by the submission. The PBAC considered
that acceptance of this claim rested on acceptance that the
surrogate immunogenicity data provided for Prevenar 13 translates
into clinically important benefits and that the evidence to support
the validity of this extrapolation is currently very uncertain.
Additionally it is particularly problematic for the comparison of
Prevenar 13 and Synflorix because the surrogate outcomes are
derived from studies with different assays, resulting in even
greater uncertainty.
The PBAC also noted that ATAGI had concluded that given the high
current burden of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) caused by
serotype 19A, the high absolute and relative immunogenicity of
Prevenar 13 against this serotype is likely to result in clinical
benefits for Prevenar 13 over Prevenar in non-indigenous children
which outweigh possible reductions in Prevenar 13 efficacy against
serotypes 6B and 19F. On the other hand, ATAGI considered the same
clinical benefit unlikely to be realised in indigenous children in
regions with high incidence of IPD, because there is greater
serotype diversity and in these regions, 19A IPD has not increased
since the introduction of Prevenar.
The PBAC noted that ATAGI additionally concluded that the potential
clinical benefits for Prevenar 13 (3 dose schedule) over Synflorix
(4 dose schedule) are much less certain, particularly for
non-invasive diseases (primarily pneumonia and otitis media) but
also for IPD. In this context, the PBAC noted that the POET study
using a prototype of the Synflorix formulation, demonstrated a
significant reduction in overall incidence of acute otitis media in
fully vaccinated children less than 2 years of age, so there are
clinical data available, albeit limited, which counter the
submission’s claim.
The PBAC concluded that overall the submission’s claim of
superiority was not sufficiently supported by the evidence
provided. Whether the immunological differences between Prevenar,
Synflorix and Prevenar 13 documented by the submission translate
into different outcomes in practice can only be determined from
clinical outcome data in large populations. The cost-effectiveness
analysis provided with the current submission is therefore without
adequate basis and was not considered further by the
Committee.
The PBAC welcomed and noted the consumer comments provided in
relation to the Prevenar 13 submission.
13. Context for Decision
The PBAC helps decide whether and, if so, how medicines should be
subsidised in Australia. It considers submissions in this context.
A PBAC decision not to recommend listing or not to recommend
changing a listing does not represent a final PBAC view about the
merits of the medicine. A company can resubmit to the PBAC or seek
independent review of the PBAC decision.
14. Sponsor’s Comment
Wyeth is pleased that Prevenar 13 will be available on the National
Immunisation Program. This will provide an important advance on
existing pneumococcal vaccines, particularly with respect to its
direct protection against serotype 19A, the serotype responsible
for the greatest burden of invasive pneumococcal disease in
Australia.
