"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.

Advertisement

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
 

Print this article on

Rate this article Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

JOBS

Senior Secretary Gauteng - North/Sandton Infrastructure Resource Gauteng - Johannesburg Management Accountant R450,000-500,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Financial Manager R350,000-400,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Financial and Project Accountant R300,000-360,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Financial Accountant R380,000-420,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg SSIS Business Intelligence Specialists (SSIS; SSAS) R350,000-500,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - North/Sandton Financial Accountant R350,000-450,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - South Find more jobs Register your CV Post a job