Glaxosmithkline Plc Receives FDA Approval for MenHibrix

Glaxosmithkline Plc announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the vaccine MenHibrix [Meningococcal Groups C and Y and Haemophilus b Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine]. MenHibrix is a vaccine indicated to prevent invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C and Y and Haemophilus influenzae type b. MenHibrix is approved for use in children aged six weeks through 18 months. The vaccination schedule for MenHibrix is a four-dose series given at two, four, six, and 12 through 15 months of age. The first dose can be given as early as six weeks of age and the last as late as 18 months of age. MenHibrix was developed to align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended infant immunization schedule for Hib vaccination and to allow for vaccination against meningococcal groups C & Y without adding additional shots. GSK will provide additional details on when MenHibrix will be available in the near future. The basis for FDA approval of MenHibrix included data GSK submitted from clinical trials conducted in the United States, Mexico, Australia, Belgium and Germany over seven years in which 7,521 infants and toddlers received at least one dose of MenHibrix. Of these participants, 3,349 were located in the United States. Adverse events in clinical trials included pain and redness at the injection site, irritability, drowsiness and loss of appetite.