The FDA has approved GlaxoSmithKline’s vaccine MenHibrix (Meningococcal Groups C and Y and Haemophilus b Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine) to prevent invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C and Y and Haemophilus influenzae type b 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.

"All of us at GSK Vaccines look at today's approval as a good day for infants, toddlers and healthcare providers," said Leonard Friedland, M.D., vice president and head of clinical and medical affairs, North America vaccine development, GSK Vaccines. "MenHibrix gives healthcare providers the option of combining Hib immunization with meningococcal C and Y immunization without increasing the number of shots for infants and toddlers."

The basis for FDA approval of MenHibrix included data GSK submitted from clinical trials conducted in the U.S., Mexico, Australia, Belgium and Germany over seven years in which 7,521 infants and toddlers received at least one dose of MenHibrix. Adverse events in clinical trials included pain and redness at the injection site, irritability, drowsiness and loss of appetite.