European Medicines Agency confirms positive benefit-risk balance of RotaTeq
Very low levels of porcine circovirus type 2 DNA fragments in the oral vaccine pose no risk to public health
Following a review of the oral vaccine RotaTeq, the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has concluded that the presence of a very small amount of viral DNA fragments in the vaccine does not present a risk to public health and that the vaccine continues to have a positive benefit-risk balance.
RotaTeq is a vaccine given by mouth to infants of 6 weeks and older, to protect against gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting) due to rotavirus infection.
Safety data from millions of children who have already received the vaccine show no safety concern with the vaccine. The vaccine is effective in preventing rotavirus infections which are responsible for half a million deaths each year, mostly in developing countries.
The review of RotaTeq was initiated after the unexpected detection of DNA fragments of porcine circovirus (PCV) in the vaccine. PCV-1 and PCV-2 are commonly found in meat and other foods that are widely consumed. Neither virus causes disease in humans, but PCV-2 can cause a wasting disease in piglets.
Data from tests provided by Sanofi Pasteur MSD showed that the vaccine contains only very low levels of PCV-2 fragments and that no whole viruses of either PCV-1 or PCV-2 are present in the vaccine, so it does not pose any risk of infection.
The Committee concluded that the detection of very low levels of PCV-2 fragments did not change the benefit-risk balance of RotaTeq.
Sanofi Pasteur MSD will take measures to continue to ensure that the vaccine is produced free of PCV.
The CHMP’s recommendation has been forwarded to the European Commission for the adoption of a binding decision.
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European Medicines Agency - News and press release archive - European Medicines Agency confirms positive benefit-risk balance of RotaTeq
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