The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently took steps to extend the HIBERIX vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) from just a booster dose to a full series to better protect people from Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
This Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine can be used to vaccinate children between 6 weeks and 4 years old.
“With this approval, GSK can now offer patients, physicians, and the public health community a more comprehensive pediatric vaccines portfolio in the U.S. for infants up to 18 months,” Patrick Desbiens, senior vice president and head of U.S. Vaccines, said. “While we were pleased that HIBERIX was first approved as a booster dose to address a supply challenge in the U.S., now with the full series approved, we complete that chapter.”
Hib infections are serious illnesses from bacteria. Hib typically affects children who are less than 5 years old. The vaccine will be routinely recommended for children by their primary physician.
“Hib is a serious, invasive bacterial disease that is preventable by vaccination,” Dr. Leonard Friedland, GSK’s vice president/director of Scientific Affairs and Public Health, said. “HIBERIX provides another Hib option to healthcare providers and patients to receive protection against a serious childhood infectious disease.”
