Benzinga | Oct 21, 2021 12:11PM EDT

CDC's Advisory Committee Backs Pneumococcal Vaccine From Pfizer, Merck

* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend Pfizer Inc's (NYSE:PFE) Prevnar 20 pneumococcal vaccine for routine use.

* The CDC's Advisory Committee has also voted to recommend vaccination either with a sequential regimen of Merck & Co Inc's (NYSE:PFE) Vaxneuvance followed by Pneumovax 23 or with a single dose 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

* These updates would apply to adults 65 years or older and adults with certain underlying medical conditions who have not previously received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or whose previous pneumococcal vaccination history is unknown.

* Related Link: Merck's Pneumococcal Vaccine Lands FDA Nod, Just a Few Weeks After Its Rival.

* Price Action: PFE shares are up 0.70% at $43.10, MRK shares are up 0.12% at $81.17 during the premarket session on the last check Thursday.