Health
FDA approves meningitis vaccine for young children
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 12, 2007
The Food and Drug Administration Oct. 18 expanded the approved age range for the use of Menactra, a bacterial meningitis vaccine, to include children ages 2-10. It had previously been approved for use in people ages 11-55, and now joins a similar vaccine, Menomune, as an option for young children.
Both vaccines offer protection against four groups of Neisseria meningitis, the bacterium that can cause meningitis.
About 2,600 people become ill from bacterial meningitis annually in the U.S., the FDA said. About 10% of them die from the infection, and another 15% have brain damage or limb amputations as a result.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/11/12/hlbf1112.htm.