FDA approves Boostrix vaccine for use in adults

NEW YORK The Food and Drug Administration has approved a booster vaccine for use in adults, manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline announced Monday.

GSK developed the vaccine, Boostrix (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine, adsorbed), for use in patients aged 10 to 18 as a protection against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough; the FDA’s new approval allows for its use in patients aged 19 to 64 as well.

The new approval follows two clinical trials of 3,000 adult patients.

Sanofi-Aventis makes a similar vaccine, Adacel, for use in patients aged 11 to 64.