Group Advises Adding Multiple Vaccines for Kids
Health experts say the new vaccines offer more protection with fewer jabs.
June 26, 2008— -- WASHINGTON, June 26 (Reuters) - U.S. immunization advisershave suggested using two new vaccines that will greatly reducethe number of jabs that babies and children get to protect themfrom a range of diseases.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practicesrecommended adding the choice of two more multiple vaccines aspart of the regular childhood schedule -- Sanofi Aventis'SASY.PA Pentacel, which protects against five infections atonce, and GlaxoSmithKline's GSK.LGSK.N Kinrix, whichprotects against four of them.
U.S. children are vaccinated against at least 14 differentinfections multiple times. Most vaccines require multiple dosesto become fully protective, meaning children get up to fiveshots over each of several visits.
The combined vaccines mean fewer injections, and expertshope it means parents will be more likely to get their childrenfully vaccinated.
Pentacel was licensed by the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration last week for immunization against diphtheria,tetanus, pertussis or whooping cough, polio, and Haemophilusinfluenzae type b, or Hib.
"The vaccine is indicated for the first four doses of thecomponents in the vaccine at ages 2, 4 and 6 months, and a15-18 months booster as a primary series," the CDC said in astatement.
Kinrix was licensed on Tuesday as a booster for diphtheria,tetanus, pertussis, and polio. It is indicated for the boosterdose at ages 4-6 after Glaxo's Pediarix, another multiplevaccine for use in younger children, or after children get thevaccines one by one.
"Eligible 4- to 6 year-olds can receive protection againstfour serious diseases with one less shot," Glaxo's Wayde Westonsaid in a statement.
The ACIP, which advises the U.S. Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention, voted to include both vaccines in theVaccines for Children program. That means the federalgovernment will provide the vaccines free of charge to needychildren under 18.
U.S. children from birth to age six are vaccinated multipletimes against hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, diphtheria,tetanus, whooping cough, Haemophilus, pneumococcal bacteria,polio, measles, mumps, rubella or German measles, chickenpox orvaricella.
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