Health
FDA approves longer-lasting meningitis vaccine
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 7, 2005
The Food and Drug Administration in January approved the first conjugate vaccine against the bacteria that causes meningococcal infection.
Menactra, which is manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, protects against the same four serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis as currently available vaccines, but the conjugate technology is expected to provide longerprotection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices currently recommends meningitis vaccine only for those who have been exposed to the bacteria or who are at particularly high risk of developing significant disease. The committee is expected to issue recommendations this month that take this new vaccine into account.
The vaccine is approved for those ages 11 to 55. Sanofi intends to apply for approval for use in those younger than 11 early this year.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/02/07/hlbf0207.htm.
