Pfizer in red as CDC advisory panel reviews Prevnar 13 patient populations

The broad selloff in the healthcare sector notwithstanding, Pfizer (PFE-2.3%) is under additional pressure, albeit modest, in apparent reaction to a two-day meeting at the CDC Atlanta.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is discussing immunization practices for a range of vaccines, including HPV, pneumococcus, measles, rabies, pertussis, diptheria and tetanus.

Investors seem wary that the committee may vote to modify the targeted patient population for the company’s pneumococcal vaccine PREVNAR 13. The specific population that may be amended appears to be adults over the age of 65.

Update: The committee voted to revise the pneumococcal vaccination guidelines for adults aged 65+ based on “shared clinical decision-making” between the patients and healthcare provider. In other words, the vaccination decision should be made on an individual basis based on mutual agreement.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3474055-pfizer-red-cdc-advisory-committee-reviews-patient-populations-prevnar-13