A new study led by Pfizer shows that a vaccine given to adolescents before they visit a doctor is highly effective in reducing their rate of hospitalization.
CNBC reports that a study led by Pfizer showed that a vaccine given to adolescents before they visit a doctor was highly effective in reducing their rate of hospitalization. The vaccine can reduce rates of hospitalization related to symptoms related to pneumonia, multi-organ failure, post-nasal drip, tonsillitis, and others.
Clinical Trials Lead to Lower Hospitalization Rates Among Teens
The trial known as VTIA (Virgin Valley Pediatric Immunization Adherence Study), was conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis. The study utilized vaccinated children from 6th grade through 12th grade as a control group. Around 500 children in the study were randomised to receive the pneumococcal vaccine or a placebo until the 12th grade.
The results showed that 801 children missed fewer days of school during the study because of absences caused by the vaccine. A vaccination free for students who received the vaccine improved school attendance to the tune of 20% in the study.
Antibody Levels Triggered Better Vaccination
Although the vaccine didn’t significantly improve outcomes, the immunity caused by it reduced the occurrence of hospitalization. Around 7% of the vaccine groups showed a reduced rate of hospitalization during the months of the study, while only 1% of those who received a placebo showed the same.
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Marty Heiring at Pfizer responded to the study findings, saying “This vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization in adults and young children and the results of this study will help clinicians reach their patients earlier and more efficiently to ensure they are ready to receive the vaccine when it is offered.”
What Vaccine Does
The vaccine is made from a protein of the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium which can cause pneumonia. It can be given to anyone who is a child or teenager at 10 months old and includes protection against the three major strains of pneumococcal bacteria, which account for more than 70% of all infections.
The vaccine must be given at 11 months, 4 months, and 1 year of age. Children between the ages of 1 and 9 months must be given the vaccine multiple times, and children between the ages of 9 and 18 months must be given it once.
The Drug Discovery Unit of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also describes the vaccine as:
“This vaccine is made by recombinant DNA encoding proteins specific to the pneumococcal serotype strains that are susceptible to this vaccine. The main effect of recombinant DNA vaccines is to produce an antibody to the antigen in the vaccine. When given to humans, recombinant DNA vaccines are less specific than the antigen that causes disease.”
