New 5-in-1 Children’s Vaccine Earns FDA Approval

The pain of childhood vaccination may be greatly reduced now that the Food and Drug Administration has approved a new 5-in-1 vaccination aimed at protecting young children from the most common illnesses.

Pentacel, made by Sanofi Pasteur, has been approved for use in children between 6 weeks and 4 years of age. The vaccination protects children from influenza type B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and poliomyelitis. It is designed to be administered as a 4-dose series at 2, 4, 6, and 15 to 18 months of age.

Newborns currently receive up to 23 injections in the first 18 months of life. The use of Pentacel could significantly reduce that number, company officials said.

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