"Immunising children under age two helps protect a very vulnerable population that often does not show symptoms of the (liver) disease but frequently spreads it to other children and family members," Dr William Hitchcock, a member of the American Board of Paediatrics, said in a statement issued by Glaxo.

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The FDA approved the vaccine's expanded use after a multi-centre clinical trial involving more than 1 000 children as young as 11 months, the company said.

Hepatitis A is a virus that is spread by close personal contact and by consuming contaminated food or drinking water. One in five infected people is hospitalised, Glaxo said. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice, and dark urine.

Later this month, a US government advisory panel will meet to determine if hepatitis A vaccination should be required of all children 12 months and older, Glaxo said. – (HealthDayNews)

October 2005
 

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