Safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of VAQTA given concomitantly versus nonconcomitantly with other pediatric vaccines in healthy 12-month-old children

Prevention of measles, mumps and rubella: 40 years of global experience with M-M-RII

Measles, mumps, and rubella are highly contagious diseases that caused significant global mortality and morbidity in the pre-vaccine era. Since its first approval in the United States over 40 years ago, M-M-R_II has been used in >75 countries for prevention of these diseases. The vaccine has been part of immunization programs that have achieved dramatic global reductions in case numbers and mortality rates, as well as the elimination of measles and rubella in several countries and regions. This report summarizes over four decades of global safety, immunogenicity, efficacy, and effectiveness data for the vaccine. We include studies on the use of M-M-R_II in different age groups, concomitant use with other routine childhood vaccines, administration via different routes, persistence of immunity, and vaccine effectiveness during outbreaks of measles and mumps. We conclude that M-M-R_II is well tolerated and has shown consistently high performance during routine use in multiple countries, in randomized controlled trials with diverse designs, and in outbreak settings, including use as measles postexposure prophylaxis. Physicians, parents, and the public can continue to have a high degree of confidence in the use of M-M-R_II as a vital part of global public health programs.

Safety and immunogenicity of VAQTA® in children 12-to-23 months of age with and without administration of other US pediatric vaccines

Safety and immunogenicity data from 5 clinical trials conducted in the US in children 12-to-23 months old where HAVi was administered alone or concomitantly with other pediatric vaccines (M-M-R®II, Varivax®, TRIPEDIA®, Prevnar®, ProQuad®, PedvaxHIB®, and INFANRIX®) were combined. Among 4,374 participants receiving ≥ 1 dose of HAVi, 4,222 (97%) had safety follow-up and the proportions reporting adverse events (AE) were comparable when administered alone (69.4%) or concomitantly with other pediatric vaccines (71.1%). The most common solicited injection-site AEs were pain/tenderness (Postdose 1: 25.8%; Postdose 2: 26.1%) and redness (Postdose 1: 13.6%; Postdose 2: 15.1%). The most common vaccine-related systemic AEs were fever (≥ 100.4ºF, 12.2%) and irritability (8.1%). Serious AEs (SAEs) were observed at a rate of 0.4%; 0.1% were considered vaccine-related. No deaths were reported within 14 days following a dose of HAVi. These integrated analyses also showed that protective antibody concentrations were elicited in 100% of toddlers after two doses and 92% after a single dose, regardless of whether HAVi was given concomitantly with other vaccines or alone. These results demonstrate that HAVi was well-tolerated whether given alone or concomitantly with other vaccines, with a low incidence of vaccine-related SAEs. HAVi was immunogenic in this age group regardless of whether administered with or without other pediatric vaccines and whether 1 or 2 doses were administered. HAVi did not impact the immune response to other vaccines. These data continue to support the routine use of HAVi with other pediatric vaccines in children ≥ 12 months of age.

Concomitant use of VAQTA with PedvaxHIB and Infanrix in 12 to 17 month old children

Open-label, multicenter, randomized study (NCT00289913) evaluated immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability of Vaqta (hepatitis A vaccine) administered with PedvaxHIB (Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine [Meningococcal protein conjugate]) & Infanrix (diphtheria/tetanus/acellular pertussis vaccine) in healthy, 15-month-old children. Five groups were evaluated: Group 1 received Vaqta/Infanrix PedvaxHIB on Day-1 and Vaqta at Week-24; Group 2 received Infanrix PedvaxHIB on Day-1, Vaqta at Week-4, and Vaqta at Week-28; Group 3 received Vaqta/PedvaxHIB on Day-1 and Vaqta Week-24; Group 4 received PedvaxHIB on Day-1, Vaqta at Week-4, and Vaqta at Week-28; and Group 5 (safety only) received Vaqta on Day-1 and Vaqta at Week-24. Hepatitis A seropositivity rate (SPR: ≥10 mIU/mL), Hib capsular polyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP) antibody response (>1.0 μg/mL), and geometric mean titers (GMT) to pertussis toxin (PT), pertussis filamentous hemagglutinin antibody (FHA), and pertactin were examined. Non-inferiority statistical criteria required a difference >10% in Hepatitis A SPR, PRP >1.0 μg/mL, and a GMT ratio of >0.67 for pertussis antigens. Injection-site and systemic adverse events (AEs) and daily temperatures were collected. Hepatitis A SPRs were 100% for Groups 1-4, regardless of initial serostatus. Anti-PRP titers were comparable (98.1% - 97.0%) for Groups 1-4. GMT and mean fold-rise were comparable for all 3 pertussis antigen components between concomitant and nonconcomitant groups. Criteria for non-inferiority of immune responses for concomitant vs nonconcomitant administration were met for Hepatitis A, Hib, and pertussis antigens. No statistically significant incidence differences of individual AEs were found between concomitant and nonconcomitant groups. No serious vaccine-related AEs or deaths were reported; no subject discontinued due to an AE. Immune responses to Vaqta, PedvaxHIB, and Infanrix given concomitantly were non-inferior to nonconcomitant responses. Vaqta administered with PedvaxHIB & Infanrix had an acceptable safety profile in 15-month-old children.

Vaccines for post-exposure prophylaxis against varicella (chickenpox) in children and adults

BACKGROUND

The prevention of varicella (chickenpox) using live attenuated varicella vaccines has been demonstrated both in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and in population-based immunisation programmes in countries such as the United States and Australia. Many countries do not routinely immunise children against varicella and exposures continue to occur. Although the disease is often mild, complications such as secondary bacterial infection, pneumonitis and encephalitis occur in about 1% of cases, usually leading to hospitalisation. The use of varicella vaccine in persons who have recently been exposed to the varicella zoster virus has been studied as a form of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy and safety of vaccines for use as PEP for the prevention of varicella in children and adults.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL (2014, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1966 to March week 1, 2014), EMBASE (January 1990 to March 2014) and LILACS (1982 to March 2014). We searched for unpublished trials registered on the clinicaltrials.gov and WHO ICTRP websites.

SELECTION CRITERIA

RCTs and quasi-RCTs of varicella vaccine for PEP compared with placebo or no intervention. The outcome measures were efficacy in prevention of clinical cases and/or laboratory-confirmed clinical cases and adverse events following vaccination.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted and analysed data using Review Manager software.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified three trials involving 110 healthy children who were siblings of household contacts. The included trials varied in study quality, vaccine used, length of follow-up and outcomes measured and, as such, were not suitable for meta-analysis. We identified high or unclear risk of bias in two of the three included studies. Overall, 13 out of 56 vaccine recipients (23%) developed varicella compared with 42 out of 54 placebo (or no vaccine) recipients (78%). Of the vaccine recipients who developed varicella, the majority only had mild disease (with fewer than 50 skin lesions). In the three trials, most participants received PEP within three days following exposure; too few participants were vaccinated four to five days post-exposure to ascertain the efficacy of vaccine given more than three days after exposure. No included trial reported on adverse events following immunisation.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

These small trials suggest varicella vaccine administered within three days to children following household contact with a varicella case reduces infection rates and severity of cases. We identified no RCTs for adolescents or adults. Safety was not adequately addressed.

Concomitant administration of hepatitis A vaccine with measles/mumps/rubella/varicella and pneumococcal vaccines in healthy 12- to 23-month-old children

This open-label, multicenter, randomized, comparative study evaluated immunogenicity, safety and tolerability of concomitant (Group 1; n=330) vs. non-concomitant (Group 2; n=323) VAQTA™ (25U/0.5 mL) (hepatitis A vaccine; HAV) with ProQuad™ (measles/mumps/rubella/varicella; MMRV) and Prevnar™ (7-valent pneumococcal; PCV-7) in healthy, 12-23 mo old children. Group 1 received HAV/MMRV/PCV-7 concomitantly on Day 1 and second doses of HAV/MMRV at Week 24. Group 2 received MMRV/PCV-7 on Day 1, HAV at Weeks 6 and 30 and MMRV at Week 34. Hepatitis A seropositivity rate (SPR: ≥10 mIU/mL; 4 weeks postdose 2), varicella zoster-virus (VZV) SPR (≥5 gpELISA units/mL) and geometric mean titers (GMT) to S. pneumoniae were examined. Injection-site and systemic adverse experiences (AEs) and daily temperatures were collected. Hepatitis A SPR were 100% for Group 1 and 99.4% for Group 2 after two HAV doses; risk difference=0.7 (95%CI: -1.4,3.8, non-inferior) regardless of initial serostatus. VZV SPR was 93.3% for Group 1 and 98.3% for Group 2; risk difference=-5.1 (95%CI: -9.3, -1.4; non-inferior). S. pneumoniae GMT fold-difference (7 serotypes) ranged from 0.9 to 1.1; non-inferior. No statistically significant differences in the incidence of individual AEs were seen when HAV was administered concomitantly vs. non-concomitantly. Three (all Group 2 post-administration of MMRV/PCV-7) of 11 serious AEs were considered possibly vaccine-related: dehydration and gastroenteritis (same subject) on Day 52; febrile seizure on Day 9. No deaths were reported. Antibody responses to each vaccine given concomitantly were non-inferior to HAV given non-concomitantly with MMRV and PCV-7. Administration of HAV with PCV-7 and MMRV had an acceptable safety profile in 12- to 23-mo-old children.

Immunogenicity and safety of an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine when coadministered with measles-mumps-rubella and varicella vaccines in children less than 2 years of age

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis A vaccination in early childhood has reduced hepatitis A transmission. Coadministration of hepatitis A vaccine with other childhood vaccines may assist completion of the age-appropriate immunization schedule. We assessed the immunogenicity and safety of an inactivated hepatitis A virus vaccine when coadministered with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and varicella vaccines in children less than 2 years of age.

METHODS

In this open-label, randomized, multicenter study, 3 groups of healthy children 15 months of age received either 2 doses of hepatitis A vaccine 6 to 9 months apart (n = 324), hepatitis A vaccine coadministered with MMR and varicella vaccines and a second dose of hepatitis A vaccine 6 to 9 months later (n = 462), or MMR and varicella vaccines followed 6 weeks later by 2 doses of hepatitis A vaccine 6 to 9 months apart (n = 455). Immune responses were evaluated at baseline, 31 days after the second dose of hepatitis A vaccine, and 42 days after MMR and varicella vaccine administration. Solicited, unsolicited, and serious adverse events were collected.

RESULTS

After 2 doses of hepatitis A vaccine, nearly all subjects in all groups were seropositive (≥99%). Coadministration of hepatitis A vaccine with MMR and varicella vaccines did not impact the immunogenicity of any of the vaccines and was well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

The immune response to hepatitis A vaccine and US-licensed MMR and varicella vaccines is not adversely affected when coadministered in children 15 months of age.

Mumps outbreaks in vaccinated populations: are available mumps vaccines effective enough to prevent outbreaks?

Increased reports of mumps in vaccinated populations prompted a review of the performance of mumps vaccines. The effectiveness of prior vaccination with 1 dose of vaccine ranged from 72.8% to 91% for the Jeryl Lynn strain, from 54.4% to 93% for the Urabe strain, and from 0% to 33% for the Rubini strain. Vaccine effectiveness after 2 doses of mumps vaccine was reported in 3 outbreaks and ranged from 91% to 94.6%. There was evidence of waning immunity, which is a likely factor in mumps outbreaks, aggravated by possible antigenic differences between the vaccine strain and outbreak strains. Inadequate vaccine coverage or use of the Rubini vaccine strain accounted for the majority of outbreaks reviewed; however, some outbreaks could not be prevented, despite high vaccination coverage with 2 doses of the Jeryl Lynn vaccine strain. Our findings indicate the need for more-effective mumps vaccines and/or for review of current vaccination policies to prevent future outbreaks.

Vaccines for post-exposure prophylaxis against varicella (chickenpox) in children and adults

BACKGROUND

Live attenuated varicella vaccines for the prevention of varicella (chickenpox) has been demonstrated both in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and in population-based immunisation programmes in countries such as the United States. However, many countries do not routinely immunise children against varicella, and exposures continue to occur. Although the disease is often mild, complications such as secondary bacterial infection, pneumonitis and encephalitis occur in about 1% of cases, usually leading to hospitalisation. The use of varicella vaccine in persons who have recently been exposed to the varicella zoster virus has been studied as a form of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy and safety of vaccines for use as PEP for the prevention of varicella in children and adults.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, 2008, Issue 1); MEDLINE (1966 to February 2008); and EMBASE (January 1990 to February 2008).

SELECTION CRITERIA

RCTs and quasi-RCTs of varicella vaccine for PEP compared with placebo or no intervention. The outcome measures were efficacy in prevention of clinical cases and/or laboratory-confirmed clinical cases and adverse effects following vaccination.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted and analysed data using Review Manager software.

MAIN RESULTS

Three studies involving 110 healthy children who were siblings of household contacts were identified as suitable for inclusion. The studies varied in quality, study design, vaccine used, and outcomes measured and, as such, were not suitable for meta-analysis. Overall, 13 out of 56 vaccine recipients (18%) developed varicella compared with 42 out of 54 placebo (or no vaccine) recipients (78%). Of the vaccine recipients who developed varicella, the majority only had mild disease (with less than 50 skin lesions). In the three studies, most subjects received PEP within three days following exposure; too few subjects were vaccinated four to five days post exposure to ascertain the efficacy of vaccine given more than three days after exposure. No included studies reported on adverse events following immunisation.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

These small trials suggest varicella vaccine administered within three days to children following household contact with a varicella case reduces infection rates and severity of cases. No RCTs for adolescents or adults were identified. However safety was not adequately addressed.

Concomitant administration of a virosome-adjuvanted hepatitis a vaccine with routine childhood vaccines at age twelve to fifteen months: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The objectives of this trial were to test for noninferiority of a virosomal hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccine (Epaxal) coadministered with routine childhood vaccines compared with Epaxal given alone and to an alum-adjuvanted HAV vaccine (Havrix Junior) coadministered with routine childhood vaccines.

METHODS

Healthy children 12- to 15-month-old were randomized to receive either a pediatric dose (0.25 mL) of Epaxal coadministered with DTPaHibIPV, oral polio vaccine, and measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (n = 109; group A), or Epaxal given alone (n = 105; group B), or Havrix Junior coadministered with DTPaHibIPV, oral polio vaccine, and measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (n = 108; group C). A booster dose was given 6 months later. Anti-HAV antibodies were tested before and 1 month after each vaccination. Safety was assessed for 1 month after each vaccination. Solicited adverse events were assessed for 4 days after each vaccination.

RESULTS

: HAV seroprotection rates (> or =20 mIU/mL) at 1 and 6 months after first dose were: A: 94.2% and 87.5%, B: 92.6% and 80.0%, C: 78.2% and 71.3%, respectively (A versus C: P < 0.001 and P = 0.017 at month 1 and 6, respectively). The respective geometric mean concentrations were: A: 51 and 64 mIU/mL, B: 49 and 59 mIU/mL, C: 33 and 37 mIU/mL (A versus C: P < 0.001 at both time points). All groups achieved 100% seroprotection after the booster dose. The geometric mean concentrations after the booster dose were 1758, 1662, and 1414, for groups A, B and C, respectively (A versus C: P = 0.15). No clinically significant reduction in immune response to all concomitant vaccine antigens was seen. All vaccines were well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

: Coadministration of pediatric Epaxal with routine childhood vaccines showed immunogenicity and safety equal to Epaxal alone as well as to Havrix Junior. After first dose, Epaxal was significantly more immunogenic than Havrix Junior.