Federal Advisers Endorse 5-In-1 Vaccine

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — A five-in-one vaccine that could reduce the number of jabs children receive is both safe and effective, federal health advisers said last week.

The endorsement makes it more likely the Food and Drug Administration will approve the Sanofi Pasteur vaccine, called Pentacel. The FDA is not required the follow the advice of its outside advisers but usually does.

The vaccine is meant to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and bacterial infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib. Hib disease can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and arthritis.

The endorsement came even though several FDA advisers questioned the efficacy of the Hib component of the vaccine. The panel recommended follow-up studies on the vaccine if it wins approval.

If approved, the vaccine could eliminate seven of the 23 federally recommended injections children now must endure through age 18 months, according to Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines business of Paris-based Sanofi-Aventis. The vaccine would be given in four doses, at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months and finally at 15 months to 18 months.

The vaccine was first sold in Canada in 1997 and is now available in eight other countries, the company said.