Life-saving vaccine linked to University

vaccine that had its start in basic research two decades ago at what is now Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong has shown remarkable success, causing rates of infection by a persistent microbe to plummet by 69 percent nationwide in the span of just three years.

The success of the Prevnar vaccine, produced by Wyeth after the company licensed basic technology from the Medical Center, is covered in the May 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The numbers translate to roughly 20,000 fewer cases of infection each year in the United States, with the greatest prevention among the youngest children.

The Rochester team that tested and developed the first conjugate vaccine included Richard Insel, director of the University's Center for Human Genetics and Molecular Pediatric Disease, as well as researchers and emeritus professors of pediatrics Porter Anderson and the late David Smith '58M.

"The vaccine's real-world performance is remarkable," says Insel.

Prevnar was introduced in 2000 to prevent invasive infections by pneumococcal bacteria, which cause meningitis, ear infections, pneumonia, and other maladies. Researchers say that in the developing world, about 1 million people die each year of infections caused by the bacteria.

While the new study shows that the rate of infection among children less than 2 years old in seven cities around the nation significantly declined, in Rochester, the vaccine has been even more effective, lowering infection rates by 83 percent.

Nancy Bennett, clinical associate professor and deputy director of the Monroe County Health Department, helped analyze the rates of infection in the Rochester area, along with project coordinator Christine Long.

New applications for Prevnar are currently under investigation, including work by physicians at the University to determine if the vaccine also is effective in preventing pneumonia in elderly patients.

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