Paper provided by MHRA for Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation October 2012:

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1 Paper provided by MHRA for Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation October 2012: VACCINE-ASSOCIATED SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS REPORTED VIA THE YELLOW CARD SCHEME DURING 2011 September 2012

2 CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION [1] 1. SECTION 1: YELLOW CARD DATA [2] 1.1. Routine Childhood Vaccines Menitorix (MenC/Hib combination) [2] Prevenar 13 (Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) [4] Pediacel and Infanrix IPV HIB (DTaP/IPV/Hib) [6] MMR Vaccine [8] Meningitis C Vaccine [10] Repevax / Infanrix IPV (d/dtap/ipv) [12] Revaxis (dt/ipv) [14] Human Papillomavirus Vaccine [16] 1.2. Other Vaccines Hepatitis B Vaccine [18] Seasonal Influenza Vaccine [20] Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine [23] BCG Vaccine [25] Varivax and Varilrix (Varicella Zoster Virus) [27] 2. SECTION 2: KEY ISSUES CONSIDERED BY THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN MEDICINES (CHM) AND/OR ITS EXPERT ADVISORY GROUPS DURING 2011 AND TO DATE 2.1. Update on Pandemrix vaccine and Narcolepsy [29] 2.2. CSL/Enzira seasonal flu vaccine and febrile convulsions [30]

3 Introduction This paper was prepared by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for the October 2012 Meeting of the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Section 1 of this paper provides an update on UK suspected adverse reactions (ADRs) associated with routine and/or commonly used vaccines reported to the MHRA/CHM via the Yellow Card Scheme during the time period of 1st January 2011 to 31st December Section 2 provides an update on vaccine safety issues considered by the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) and/or its Expert Advisory Groups during 2011 and to date. It should be noted that a report of a suspected ADR to the MHRA/CHM does not necessarily mean that it has been caused by the vaccine. Many factors have to be taken into account in assessing the relationship between a vaccine and suspected reaction such as the possible role of underlying or undiagnosed illness or infection. The data contained in this report may therefore include some known side effects as well as purely coincidental events. For this reason, these data must not be considered as a list of known vaccine side effects. The recognised side effects of all vaccines are described in the product information (Summary of Product Characteristics [SPC] and Patient Information Leaflet [PIL]). These are provided with the vaccine and are available for viewing on the electronic Medicines Compendium (emc) website [ Furthermore, due to variable levels of reporting and as the precise number of individuals immunised is not included in this report, the number of ADR reports received should not be used as a basis for estimating the incidence of ADRs or for comparing relative safety of vaccines. For some routine childhood vaccines, exposure estimates in this report are based on 2010/11 uptake data 1, extrapolated to the relevant UK birth cohort. Exposure for non-routine vaccines has not been estimated in this report. As the reporting rates are broad estimates, as they do not take into account exposure outside of the routine schedule and are not adjusted for age-specific exposure, no firm conclusions can be drawn on relative ADR reporting rates over time. Yellow Card reports may contain more than one serious ADR. Seriousness is determined by regulatory criteria based on the medical condition (MedDRA Dictionary serious) 2. Yellow Card data covers the whole of the UK. Prepared: August 2012 Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines (VRMM) Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency MedDRA - the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities - is a standardised, medically validated adverse event terminology system used within the international medicines regulatory environment. 1

4 1. YELLOW CARD DATA 1.1 Routine Childhood Vaccines Menitorix (MenC/Hib combination) Menitorix was introduced into the routine childhood schedule in September 2006 as a single dose MenC/Hib booster at around 12 months of age. Although this was a novel combination, prior to introduction there was extensive worldwide experience with the similar monocomponent Hib and MenC vaccines conjugated to tetanus toxoid (e.g. Hiberix and Neisvac-C vaccines). The total number of suspected ADRs reported in association with Menitorix over the last 3 years is shown below (table 1) exposure is based on the assumption of 92% uptake (one dose) for an annual birth cohort of 800, Table 1: Total number of Menitorix reports received (serious reports in brackets) Total number of reports 26 (9) 27 (13) 18 (13) Total number of reactions 67 (11) 74 (18) 40 (22) Total fatal Exposure 630, , ,000 ERR per 100,000 doses 4.1 (1.4) 3.9 (1.9) 2.4 (1.8) ERR = Estimated Reporting Rate Figure 1 shows the serious ADRs reported in each MedDRA System Organ Class (SOC), as a percentage of the total ADRs, for the last three years. Reporting rates have remained consistently very low. As only 13 reports contained a reaction classified as serious, relative percentage changes should be interpreted with caution. Five of the serious reports related to consequences of meningococcal infection (2 Meningococcal Infection, 1 Meningitis, 1 Meningococcal Sepsis ), which were probable vaccine failures. There was 1 fatal case reported in 2011, of vaccination failure and meningitis in a patient who received vaccination with MenC/Hib and Meningitis C vaccines. As with all vaccines, meningitis C vaccination may not be 100% successful and isolated cases of failure following primary vaccination are not unexpected. The remaining 8 reports were spread across 6 SOCs, and concerned isolated events which were most likely coincidental with vaccination. Conclusion: No significant new safety issues were identified during

5 Percentage of serious reports (%) Figure 1: Percentage of serious reactions per SOC associated with Menitorix vaccine Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications General Disorders and administration site conditions Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyp) Nervous system disorders Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders System Order Class (SOC) 3

6 Prevenar 13 (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) Prevenar vaccine (PCV7) (which contained antigens against seven pneumococcal strains) was introduced into the routine childhood schedule in September In April 2010 Prevenar vaccine, was replaced by Prevenar 13 (PCV13), which contains antigens against 13 strains, to broaden protection against pneumococcal disease exposure is based on the assumption of 93% uptake for primary doses and 87% uptake for booster dose for an annual birth cohort of 800,000. Table 2: Total number of Prevenar reports (serious reports in brackets) Total number of reports 86 (27) 91(35) 181 (135) Total number of reactions 218 (39) 253(53) 504 (195) Total fatal Exposure 1,800,000 1,368,000 1,463,200 ERR per 100,000 doses 4.8 (1.5) 6.7 (2.6) 12.4 (9.2) ERR = Estimated Reporting Rate The increase in reports recorded in 2011 is driven by a batch of 95 vaccine failure reports received from one manufacturer. These reports originate from enhanced follow up of all cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) over the 4-5 years since PCV7 was introduced, although these were identified and reported by the manufacturer during Such reports are routinely evaluated by the HPA to determine effectiveness of the vaccination programme. Removing these 95 reports from the 2011 data gives a total of 86 reports (40 serious) for 2011 and a ERR of 5.9 (2.7 serious) per 100,000 doses which is in line with the reporting rates for 2009 and Data presented to the JCVI Pneumococcal sub-committee meeting in May indicated that Prevenar 7 and Prevenar 13 are similar in effectiveness against the common 7 serotypes in the vaccines and that there has been a decline by around one half in IPD in children aged under 5 years of age due to the additional 6 serotypes found in Prevenar 13. The remaining 40 reports were spread across 13 SOCs, and concerned mainly isolated events which were either known rare side effects of primary immunisation or events coincidental with vaccination. There were 3 reports of pneumococcal infection with a fatal outcome, one of which was due to a non-vaccine serotype and two were reported as a vaccine failure. The two remaining reports with a fatal outcome were due to undiagnosed congenital heart failure and multiple congenital abnormalities and were not attributable to the vaccine. Figure 2 shows the serious ADRs reported in each SOC, as a percentage of the total ADRs, for the last three years. Conclusion: No significant new safety issues were identified during May-2012.pdf 4

7 Percentage of serious reports (%) Figure 2: Percentage of serious reactions per SOC associated with Prevenar vaccine Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications General Disorders and administration site conditions Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyp) Nervous system disorders Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Social Circumstances Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders System Order Class (SOC) 5

8 Pediacel and Infanrix IPV Hib (DTPa/IPV/Hib) Pediacel is the routine DTPa/IPV/Hib vaccine, administered at 2, 3 and 4 months of age. Infanrix IPV Hib (DTaP IPV Hib) vaccine was used from September 2007 to March 2009 as part of a Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) catch-up campaign as a preschool booster. This accounted for the increased number of reports in 2009 (note: exposure in 2009 was based only on DTPa/IPV/Hib vaccine as a 3 dose primary course since estimates on exposure to Infanrix IPV Hib were not available). No Infanrix IPV Hib cases have been received since The total number of suspected ADRs reported in association with DTPa/IPV/Hib for the last 3 years is shown below (table 3) exposure is based on the assumption of 95% uptake (3 doses) for an annual birth cohort of 800,000. Table 3: Total number of DTaP/IPV/Hib vaccine reports and doses distributed (serious reports in brackets) Total number of reports 122 (40) 64 (29) 82 (44) Total number of reactions 314 (66) 187 (46) 261 (78) Total fatal Exposure (doses) 1,950,000 2,166,000 2,280,000 ERR per 100,000 doses 6.3 (2.1) 2.9 (1.3) 3.6 (1.9) ERR = Estimated Reporting Rate Figure 3 shows the serious ADRs reported in each SOC, as a percentage of the total ADRs, for the last three years. Reporting rates have remained consistently very low. The 44 serious reports were spread over 13 SOCs. As in previous years, most related to Nervous System Disorders and include the known rare side effects of fits, hypotonichyporesponsive episodes and syncope, all of which recovered. The remaining serious reports concerned a wide range of isolated events which were either known rare side effects or likely coincidental with vaccination. Conclusion: No significant new safety issues were identified during

9 Percentage of serious reports (%) Figure 3: Percentage of serious reactions per SOC associated with DTPa/IPV/Hib vaccine Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications General Disorders and administration site conditions Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyp) Nervous system disorders Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders System Order Class (SOC) 7

10 MMR vaccine The first routine childhood dose of MMR vaccine is administered at months of age, with a second dose from 3 years 4 months. The total number of suspected ADRs reported in association with MMR vaccination for the last 3 years is shown below (table 4) exposure is based on the assumption of 89% uptake for dose 1 and 83% for dose 2 for an annual birth cohort of 800,000. Note: the exposure estimates are based on only routine childhood use and do no estimate usage in older age groups, or use in catch-up campaigns. Exposure is therefore an underestimate. Table 4: Total number of MMR vaccine reports and doses distributed (serious reports in brackets) Total number of reports 145 (72) 125 (65) 144 (86) Total number of reactions 431 (113) 406 (123) 412 (147) Total fatal Exposure 1,204,000 1,307,200 1,408,800 ERR per 100,000 doses 12.0 (6.0) 9.6 (5.0) 10.2 (6.1) ERR = Estimated Reporting Rate Figure 4 shows the serious ADRs reported in each SOC, as a percentage of the total ADRs, for the last three years. Reporting rates have remained consistently very low. The 86 serious reports were spread over 22 SOCs. The increase in Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions and Congenital conditions is accounted for by reports received via the HPA Vaccines in Pregnancy registry. There is no evidence of risks to pregnancy or the foetus following inadvertent use in pregnancy, and such reports are likely coincidental events. The remaining serious reports concerned a wide range of isolated events which were either known rare side effects or likely coincidental with vaccination. The majority of Nervous System Disorders related to loss of consciousness and syncope (4 Hypotonia, 3 Syncope and 1 Loss of Consciousness ).The majority of these cases were a consequence of fainting after the injection. 6 cases relating to convulsions were also reported in Syncope and convulsions are listed for the MMR vaccines. Conclusion: No significant new safety issues were identified during

11 Percentage of serious reports (%) Figure 4: Percentage of serious reactions per SOC associated with MMR vaccine Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications General Disorders and administration site conditions Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyp) Nervous system disorders Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Social Circumstances Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders System Order Class (SOC) 9

12 Meningitis C vaccine Meningococcal group C conjugate vaccine is recommended for use at 3 and 4 months of age as a primary course (2 dose schedule) (with a MenC/Hib booster at months). The total number of suspected ADRs reported in association with Meningococcal group C conjugate vaccine for the last 3 years is shown below (table 5) exposure is based on the assumption of 93.4% uptake (2 doses) for an annual birth cohort of 800,000. Table 5: Total number of Meningitis C vaccine reports and doses distributed (serious reports in brackets) Total number of reports 44 (13) 49 (24) 59 (34) Total number of reactions 93 (21) 133 (46) 204 (70) Total fatal Exposure (doses) 1,290,000 1,413,600 1,494,400 ERR per 100,000 doses 3.4 (1.0) 3.5 (1.7) 3.9 (2.3) ERR = Estimated Reporting Rate Figure 5 shows the serious ADRs reported in each SOC, as a percentage of the total ADRs, for the last 3 years. Reporting rates have remained consistently very low. The 34 serious reports were spread over 12 SOCs and concerned a wide range of isolated events which were either known rare side effects or likely coincidental with vaccination. There was one fatal case associated with Meningitis C vaccine in 2011, of Meningitis in a patient who received Menjugate and Neisvac-C vaccines. This is the same case as discussed in the Men C/Hib section of this paper (page 2). Conclusion: No significant new safety issues were identified during

13 Percentage of serious reports (%) Figure 5: Percentage of serious reactions per SOC associated with Meningitis C vaccine Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications General Disorders and administration site conditions Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyp) Nervous system disorders Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders System Order Class (SOC) 11

14 Repevax (dtap/ipv)/infanrix IPV (DTaP/IPV) Infanrix IPV or Repevax is recommended as a routine pre-school booster vaccine. The exposure rate for Repevax and Infanrix IPV were not calculated for 2009 as these vaccines were not routinely used due to use of DTaP/IPV/Hib as pre-school booster during the Hib catch-up campaign. Reversion back to Infanrix IPV Hib/Repevax explains the increase in reports received in The number of reports received and the estimated reporting rate have both decreased for exposure is based on the assumption of 85% uptake (1 dose) for an annual birth cohort of 800,000. Table 6: Total number of reports and doses distributed (serious reports in brackets) Total number of reports 30 (5) 68 (18) 43 (17) Total number of reactions 69 (10) 185 (32) 136 (30) Total fatal Exposure n/a 612, ,200 ERR per 100,000 doses n/a 11.1 (2.9) 6.3 (2.5) ERR = Estimated Reporting Rate Figure 6 shows the serious ADRs reported in each SOC, as a percentage of the total ADRs, for the last 3 years. As only 17 reports contained a reaction classified as serious, relative percentage changes should be interpreted with caution. The serious reports were spread over 9 SOCs and concerned a wide range of isolated events which were either known rare side effects or likely coincidental with vaccination. Reports of infections were mainly injection site reactions and nervous system disorders were mostly the consequences of fainting. Conclusion: No significant new safety issues have been identified during

15 Percentage of serious reports (%) Figure 6: Percentage of serious reactions per SOC associated with d/dtap/ipv vaccine Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications General Disorders and administration site conditions Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyp) Nervous system disorders Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Social Circumstances Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders System Order Class (SOC) 13

16 Revaxis (dt/ipv) Revaxis is a booster vaccine given to young people aged between 13 and 18, as well as being used for adult boosters. The total number of suspected ADRs reported in association with dt/ipv vaccine for the last 3 years is shown below (table 7). An estimate of exposure is not given in this paper due to likely widespread use in a wide range of age groups outside of the routine childhood programme. Table 7: Total number of Revaxis reports and doses distributed (serious reports in brackets) Total number of reports 103 (60) 92 (43) 98 (39) Total number of reactions 399 (120) 279 (70) 277 (55) Total fatal Exposure (doses) n/a n/a n/a ERR per 100,000 doses n/a n/a n/a ERR = Estimated Reporting Rate n/a: Data not available at the time of writing this report. The serious reports were spread over 22 SOCs and concerned a wide range of isolated events which were either known rare side effects or likely coincidental with vaccination. The majority of nervous system disorders related to the signs and symptoms of fainting and possibly other anxiety-related events. Conclusion: No significant new safety issues have been identified during

17 Percentage of serious reports (%) Figure 7: Percentage of serious reactions per SOC associated with Revaxis vaccine Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications General Disorders and administration site conditions Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyp) Nervous system disorders Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Social Circumstances Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders System Order Class (SOC) 15

18 Human Papillomavirus vaccines (Cervarix and Gardasil ) A routine immunisation programme for human papillomavirus (HPV) was started across the UK in September 2008 for 12 to 13 year-old girls. This also included a catchup campaign for older teenagers. The vaccine of choice in the UK was Cervarix, which protects against infection with HPV types 16 and 18. On introduction of the vaccine, the MHRA put in place a proactive pharmacovigilance strategy to monitor the safety of Cervarix vaccine as it was used in the UK. After use of more than 4.5 million doses of Cervarix in the UK alone, the Commission on Human Medicines advised that no serious new risks have been identified in association with Cervarix and the balance of risks and benefits of the vaccine remains positive. Further information regarding HPV vaccine, including MHRA s public safety assessment report on the first two years of the HPV immunisation programme, can be found on the MHRA website at From September 2012 Gardasil, with HPV types 6,11, 16 and 18, will replace Cervarix within the national immunisation programme. A safety review of the UK experience with Cervarix was considered by the CHM and its Expert Advisory Groups (EAGs) in August/September Overall no new safety issues were identified and the CHM endorsed the conclusions of the report that the benefit risk balance of Cervarix remains positive. The MHRA website will be updated with the new data within the coming months. The total number of suspected ADRs reported in association with human papillomavirus vaccine for the last 3 years is shown below (table 8). Table 8: Total number of Human Papillomavirus vaccine reports (serious reports in brackets) Total number of reports 1934 (610) 1802 (397) 1081 (249) Total number of reactions 4774 (820) 3800 (560) 2439 (391) Total fatal One suspected ADR with a fatal outcome was reported in 2011, for Gardasil. This was a case of acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia. A causal association with vaccination has not been established and this was likely coincidental. In September 2012 the CHM and its EAGs considered a safety review of the HPV vaccine Cervarix. The Commission endorsed the conclusions of the report that the benefit/risk balance of Cervarix remains positive and that no new safety signals were identified (see section 3). Conclusion: No significant new safety issues have been identified during

19 Percentage of serious reports (%) Figure 9: Percentage of serious reactions per SOC associated with Human Papillomavirus vaccine Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications General Disorders and administration site conditions Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyp) Nervous system disorders Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Social Circumstances Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders System Order Class (SOC) 17

20 1.2 Other vaccines Hepatitis B vaccine Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended in populations deemed to be at risk of contracting the disease. The total number of suspected ADRs reported in association with single hepatitis B vaccine for the last 3 years is shown below (table 9). Table 9: Total number of Hepatitis B vaccine reports and doses distributed (serious reports in brackets) Total number of reports 104 (62) 77 (41) 121 (49) Total number of reactions 385 (118) 181 (61) 408 (100) Total fatal Exposure (doses) n/a n/a n/a ERR per 100,000 doses n/a n/a n/a ERR = Estimated Reporting Rate n/a: Data not available at the time of writing this report. Estimated exposure data for the vaccine were not available at the time of writing this report and as such, ERRs have not been calculated. The serious reports were spread over 24 SOCs and concerned a wide range of isolated events which were either known rare side effects or likely coincidental with vaccination. Conclusion: No significant new safety issues have been identified during

21 Percentage of serious reports (%) Figure 10: Percentage of serious reactions per SOC associated with Hepatitis B vaccine Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications General Disorders and administration site conditions Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyp) Nervous system disorders Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Social Circumstances Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders System Order Class (SOC) 19

22 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Influenza vaccine is offered to at-risk populations in the community on a yearly basis, including the elderly and those at increased risk of complications of influenza infection 5. The total number of suspected ADRs reported in association with seasonal influenza vaccine for the last 3 years is shown below (table 10). In line with the other data in this report, this relates to calendar years (rather than influenza seasons). As in previous years, exposure has been estimated simply at an upper level of 14m doses. Reporting rates have remained consistently very low. Table 10: Total number of Influenza reports and doses distributed (serious reports in brackets) Total number of reports 214 (119) 331 (189) 458 (252) Total number of reactions 709 (205) 1108 (311) 1506 (398) Total fatal Exposure 14,000,000 14,000,000 14,000,000 ERR per 100,000 doses 1.5 (0.9) 2.4 (1.4) 3.3 (1.8) ERR = Estimated Reporting Rate Figure 11 shows the serious ADRs reported in each SOC, as a percentage of the total ADRs, for the last three years. The distribution of adverse reactions has stayed relatively constant over the last three years, with the majority of serious reactions occurred within the Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders SOC and the Nervous System Disorders SOC. There were ten suspected ADRs with a fatal outcome in There were three cases of Death, two cases of Stillbirth, and single cases of Bronchopneumonia, Respiratory failure, Completed suicide, Ovarian cancer and Guillain-Barre Syndrome. A causal association with the influenza vaccines has not been established for any of these cases the vaccine is largely given to those at high background risk of morbidity regardless of vaccination, and coincidental medical events are to be expected. In October 2011 Baxter s influenza vaccine Preflucel was recalled due to an increased risk of hypersensitivity, flu-like symptoms and ocular reactions. This vaccine, manufactured using cells rather than eggs, was the preferred vaccine in those with confirmed anaphylaxis to eggs. The root cause has been identified and corrective actions will be implemented before the vaccine is reintroduced e99 20

23 Please refer to section 2.2 for information regarding CSL influenza vaccines and an association with febrile convulsions, and information regarding Pandemrix vaccine and an association with narcolepsy. Conclusion: Other than the issues relating to CSL and Baxter vaccine outlined below, no significant new safety issues have been identified during

24 Percentage of serious reports (%) Figure 11: Percentage of serious reactions per SOC associated with Influenza vaccine Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications General Disorders and administration site conditions Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) Nervous system disorders Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Social Circumstances Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders System Order Class (SOC) 22

25 Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) The total number of suspected ADRs reported in association with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for the last 3 years is shown below (table 11). Table 11: Total number of Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine reports and doses distributed (serious reports in brackets) Total number of reports 43 (13) 67 (34) 61 (26) Total number of reactions 120 (17) 199 (51) 234 (38) Total fatal Exposure n/a n/a n/a ERR per 100,000 doses n/a n/a n/a ERR = Estimated Reporting Rate n/a: Data not available at the time of writing this report. The distribution data for the vaccine during 2011 were not available at the time of writing this report and as such, ERRs have not been calculated. Figure 12 shows the serious ADRs reported in each SOC, as a percentage of the total ADRs, for the last three years. The majority of serious reactions occurred within the Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders SOC. The most reported serious reaction in this SOC is Myalgia (5 cases), which is a recognised reaction to PPV vaccination. The SPC with the second highest proportion of serious reactions was the Infections and Infestations SOC, mainly due to known injection-site reactions. There was one fatal report associated with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in 2011, of Lung Adenocarcinoma Stage IV, reported from the literature 7. A causal association with the PPV or Meningitis C vaccine has not been established and this was likely coincidental. Conclusion: No significant new safety issues have been identified during Angelos Kyriacou, Nolan Arulraj, Haren Varia. Acute abdomen due to spontaneous splenic rupture as the first presentation of lung malignancy: a case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports 23

26 Percentage of serious reports (%) Figure 12: Percentage of serious reactions per SOC associated with Pneumococcal Polysaccharide vaccine Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications General Disorders and administration site conditions Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyp) Nervous system disorders Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Social Circumstances Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders System Order Class (SOC) 24

27 BCG vaccine The aim of the UK BCG immunisation programme is to immunise those at increased risk of developing severe disease and/or of exposure to TB infection The total number of suspected ADRs reported in association with BCG vaccine for the last 3 years is shown below (table 12). Exposure figures are based on data from England 8. Table 12: Total number of BCG reports and doses distributed (serious reports in brackets) Total number of reports 23 (12) 40 (24) 36 (17) Total number of reactions 42 (19) 76 (25) 72 (26) Total fatal Exposure (doses) 239, , ,316 ERR per 100,000 doses 10.5 (5.8) 17.9 (10.7) 16 (7.6) ERR = Estimated Reporting Rate n/a: Data not available at the time of writing this report. Figure 13 shows the serious ADRs reported in each SOC, as a percentage of the total ADRs, for the last three years. The majority of serious reactions related to known possible side effects of lymphadenitis and disseminated BCG infection. Conclusion: No significant new safety issues have been identified during

28 Percentage of serious reports (%) Figure 13: Percentage of serious reactions per SOC associated with BCG vaccine Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications General Disorders and administration site conditions Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyp) Nervous system disorders Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders System Order Class (SOC) 26

29 Varivax, Varilrix and Zostavax (Varicella Zoster virus) vaccines Since 2003, the UK recommendation includes vaccinating non-immune healthcare workers who themselves will derive benefit as they will be protected from contact with infectious patients. Varicella vaccine is also recommended for healthy susceptible close household contacts of immunocompromised patients. Zostavax is indicated for prevention of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia in those aged over 50 years. Table 13: Total number of Varicella Zoster vaccine reports (serious reports in brackets) Total number of reports 13 (6) 12 (8) 5 (3) Total number of reactions 38 (10) 33 (13) 17 (6) Total fatal Exposure n/a n/a n/a ERR per 100,000 doses n/a n/a n/a ERR = Estimated Reporting Rate n/a: Data not available at the time of writing this report. The usage data for the vaccines was not available at the time of writing this report and as such, ERRs have not been calculated. As can be seen, very few ADR reports have been submitted for varicella vaccines. The few serious reactions related to possible vaccine failure. In relation to vaccine failures, the Summaries of Product Characteristics (SPCs) for Varivax and Varilrix were updated in 2008 to include a two-dose schedule in order to provide longer-term protection. Conclusion: No significant new safety issues have been identified during

30 Percentage of serious reports (%) Figure 14: Percentage of serious reactions per SOC associated with Varicella Zoster vaccine Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications General Disorders and administration site conditions Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyp) Nervous system disorders Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders System Order Class (SOC) 28

31 2. SECTION 2: ISSUES CONSIDERED BY THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN MEDICINES (CHM) AND/OR ITS EXPERT ADVISORY GROUPS DURING 2011 AND TO DATE 2.1 Pandemrix and Narcolepsy In August 2010, several reports of narcolepsy in Sweden and Finland following use of Pandemrix swine flu vaccine came to light. At the time, there had been no reports of narcolepsy in the UK or other countries following the vaccine. This safety signal prompted an EU wide safety review. As EU Rapporteur for Pandemrix, the MHRA led on the safety review. This regulatory review concluded in July 2011, with a recommendation that Pandemrix vaccine may only be used in persons aged under 20 years if seasonal trivalent vaccine is not available and if there is a particular need to immunise against H1N1. No restrictions on use in adults were imposed, and the overall balance of risks and benefits remains favourable. Underpinning the risk assessment were three epidemiological studies carried out in Sweden and Finland, where most reports of narcolepsy following the vaccine have occurred. Pandemrix was the only vaccine used in these countries. The studies suggested a six to thirteen-fold increased risk of narcolepsy amongst vaccinated children, with a vaccine-attributable risk of three to seven extra cases of narcolepsy per 100,000 doses. No increased risk in those aged above 19 years has been identified. Throughout the EU review, questions have been raised around whether changes in diagnostic practice, bias or confounding may have explained the results. However, the review concluded that any such factors could not fully account for the observed level of risk. It was also concluded that this association was likely due to some sort of temporal/geographic interaction between vaccine and environmental factors during the peak of the pandemic. Any such co-factors remain unknown, but it is speculated that concurrent respiratory infections, including H1N1 itself, may have played a role. Genetic predisposition may also have been an influence. These factors remain unknown, and further studies are ongoing to explore this. Since July 2011, further epidemiological data have emerged from other EU countries. Data released in Ireland in April 2012 were broadly in line with data from Sweden and Finland. New data from France also support this. The new French study was also the first to suggest a possible, albeit smaller, risk in adults. It remains unclear if these adult data are robust, or if this can be extrapolated to age groups above 21 years. We are in the process of clarifying these uncertainties in the adult data. Another study (VAESCO) pooling data from 8 EU countries did not find a statistically significant increased risk in adults in any country other than France. The VAESCO study found an increased risk in children and adolescents only in Sweden and Finland, however, this study had several limitations. This safety signal is so far not apparent for other types of influenza vaccine, and the safety review is specific to Pandemrix vaccine. Vaccines used outside of Europe, including a similar GSK vaccine used in Canada and unadjuvanted vaccines used elsewhere have so far not been associated with this signal. 29

32 The annual seasonal, trivalent flu vaccines have not been associated with the development of narcolepsy, and there are no new safety concerns associated with these vaccines. More information on the EU review of narcolepsy can be found at ews_detail_ jsp&murl=menus/news_and_events/news_and_events.jsp&mid=w C0b01ac058004d5c CSL/Enzira seasonal flu vaccine and febrile convulsions In Australia in April 2010, an excess risk of febrile convulsions was found to be associated with a brand of flu vaccine called Fluvax, manufactured by CSL. A similar CSL vaccine was on the UK market branded as Enzira or as CSL Biotherapies generic influenza vaccine in the 2010/11 influenza vaccine campaign. Therefore, prior to use in the UK during 2010/11, the licence for Enzira/CSL Biotherapies generic influenza vaccine was restricted for use only in those aged 5 years and over. Although there was no suggestion that other influenza vaccines supplied in the UK may be associated with a similar risk, as a precaution the MHRA implemented enhanced passive surveillance to closely monitor the safety of all influenza vaccines used in the UK during the 2010/11 campaign. This analysis found no indication of an excess risk of febrile convulsions in children following use of other (non-csl/pfizer) seasonal flu vaccines in the UK. For further information regarding this issue please refer to the MHRA s Public Assessment Report on seasonal flu vaccines and febrile seizures, available at ningsandmessagesformedicines/con Cervarix HPV vaccine end of routine programme safety review In September 2012 the CHM and its EAGs considered a safety review of the HPV vaccine Cervarix since it was first routinely used in the national immunisation programme in September 2008 for the prevention of premalignant cervical lesions and cervical cancer in adolescent girls. From September 2012 Cervarix will be replaced by Gardasil which covers four HPV strains. Over 6 million doses of Cervarix have been administered in the UK with uptake figures among the highest in the world. With over 6213 adverse reaction (ADR) reports for Cervarix and for reports where the HPV brand was not specified, this gave a reporting rate of approximately 1 report per 1,000 doses administered which was not considered unexpected for a vaccine that was so widely used within a novel immunisation programme. 30

33 The safety of Cervarix has been subject to an enhanced pharmacovigilance strategy and the success of the strategy was recognised by the CHM. The CHM endorsed the conclusions of the report that the benefit/risk balance of Cervarix remains positive and that no other new signals were identified that warranted regulatory action. As with all vaccines, the safety of Cervarix and Gardasil will remain under constant monitoring by the MHRA. 31