Sanofi Pasteur granted expansion for use of Menactra

Sanofi Pasteur has been granted an expansion for the use of its meningococcal vaccine Menactra by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA granted licensure for the pharmaceutical company to expand the indication of Menactra to include children two years to ten years of age.

Michael Pichichero, from the University of Rochester Medical Centre, welcomed the decision and illustrated how Sanofi Pasteur had been waiting for this expansion in order to protect children who are equally at risk.

“Meningococcal disease is serious and no healthy child should have to risk permanent disability, or even death, from this vaccine preventable disease.

“About half of the cases in children two years through five years and two-thirds in those six years through 11 years can potentially be prevented through vaccination in the United States,” he added.

Menactra was the first vaccine in the US to prevent meningococcal disease after receiving FDA approval in 2005 for immunisation in adults.

Earlier this week, Sanofi Pasteur announced a partnership with Institut Pasteur to develop a vaccine against malaria.

Sanofi Pasteur is the vaccines division of the Sanofi Aventis Group which is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.