Novartis' Menveo approved for use in children

BASEL, Switzerland — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Novartis vaccine for preventing meningococcal disease in children, the Swiss drug maker said.

Novartis announced the approval of Menveo (meningococcal [groups A, C, Y and W-135] oligosaccharide diphtheria CRM197 conjugate vaccine) for active immunization to prevent certain forms of meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis in children ages 2 to 10 years. The FDA approved the vaccine last year for use in adolescents and adults ages 11 to 55 years.

“The approval of Menveo for the use in children 2 to 10 years of age is another important step toward our goal to protect people of all ages against this devastating disease,” Novartis vaccines and diagnostics division head, Andrin Oswald, said.