Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - October 22, 1999
The vaccine was developed by Wyeth Lederle Vaccines -- a division of Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories (the pharmaceutical division of American Home Products Corporation - NYSE: AHP).
The recommendation stated that in the event of resource or logistic constraints, immunizations should be provided according to the following priorities:
Priority 1
- All children up to age 24 months;
- Children age 24 to 59 months with sickle cell disease, with functional or anatomic asplenia, or HIV infection;
- Children age 24 to 59 months who are immunocompromised, who have chronic illness, or who are Alaskan natives or American Indians.
Priority 2
- All healthy children age 24 to 35 months;
- Children age 36 to 59 months who are at increased risk for pneumococcal infection, including: children who have experienced frequent or complicated episodes of acute otitis media during the previous year, children who are socially or economically disadvantaged, or children who attend group child care.
Priority 3
- Other children age 36 to 59 months of age not included in the above groups.
For infants, the Committee recommends that the vaccine be given in four doses at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months; for children who are 7 to 11 months, three doses; for children who are 12 to 23 months, two doses; and for children 2 years or older, only one dose is needed.
Pneumococcal disease is a group of illnesses caused by the pneumococcal bacteria, also known as Streptococcus pneumoniae. It is a leading cause of invasive disease in young children worldwide. Worldwide, more than 1.2 million children die each year as a result of pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease in children costs the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $1.5 billion annually.
The ACIP advises the CDC on matters of vaccine policy for children in the U.S. It is composed of 10 members chosen for expertise in public health, vaccine research, infectious diseases, and pediatrics.
Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories is a major research-oriented pharmaceutical company with leading products in the areas of women's health care, cardiovascular disease therapies, central nervous systems drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, vaccines, and generic pharmaceuticals. American Home Products Corporation is one of the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. It also is a global leader in vaccines, biotechnology, agricultural products, and animal health care.
The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, risks associated with the inherent uncertainty of pharmaceutical research, product development and commercialization, the impact of competitive products, and patent, and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in AHP's periodic reports, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ from forward-looking statements.
SOURCE American Home Products Corporation
NOTE TO EDITORS: American Home Products Corporation's press releases are available at no charge through PR Newswire's Company News On-Call fax service and on PRN's Web site. For a menu of AHP press releases or to retrieve a specific release, call 800-758-5804, extension 044235, or use the internet via
http://www.prnewswire.com/cnoc/exec/menu?044235//
CONTACT: Media - Douglas Petkus of Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, 610-971-4980, or Lowell Weiner of American Home Products, 973-660-5013; Investors - Thomas Cavanagh of American Home Products, 973-660-5706/
Web Site: /http://www.ahp.com//
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