Immunogenicity and Safety of Porcine Circovirus-Free Human Rotavirus Vaccine in Healthy Infants: A Phase 3 Randomized Trial

The immunogenicity of PCV-free HRV was noninferior to that of HRV when administered to infants according to a 2-dose series. Consistency across different PCV-free HRV lots was demonstrated. Adverse events incidence was similar following vaccination with PCV-free HRV or HRV. Background Porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV-1) material was detected in the human rotavirus vaccine (HRV) in 2010. In this study we compared immunogenicity and safety of the PCV-free HRV vaccine (PCV-free HRV) with HRV. PCV-free HRV is an HRV with no detectable PCV-1 and PCV-2 according to the limit of detection of the tests used. Methods Healthy infants 6-12 weeks of age were randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive 2 doses of 1 of the 3 lots of PCV-free HRV or HRV. The study objectives were to demonstrate lot-to-lot consistency of the PCV-free HRV and noninferiority of PCV-free HRV as compared to HRV in terms of immunogenicity, 1-2 months post dose 2. Reactogenicity and safety were also assessed. Results Overall, 1612 infants were enrolled and 1545 completed the study. Study objectives were demonstrated because the predefined criteria were met. Among participants receiving PCV-free HRV and HRV, 79.27% and 81.76% seroconverted and geometric mean concentrations were 159.5 and 152.8 U/mL, respectively. The incidences of adverse events and serious adverse events were similar between the pooled PCV-free HRV and HRV groups. Conclusions The 3 PCV-free HRV lots demonstrated consistency and PCV-free HRV was noninferior compared to HRV in terms of immunogenicity.