vaccine previously limited to adults to include children now

NEW - FDA expands approved use of swine flu vaccines
By Sheila Hagar of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a H1N1 influenza vaccine previously limited to adults to include children ages 6 months and older.

"Because children are among those most vulnerable to the 2009 H1N1 virus, having a broader range of children's vaccines available is an important step in responding to the H1N1 outbreak," said Dr. Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of food and drugs.

The vaccine is made by CSL Ltd. of Australia using the same established process that has been in place for many years for the company's seasonal flu vaccine, also included in the expanded approval.

Approval was based on a study of the company's seasonal flu vaccine in children showing the vaccine's safety and effectiveness in inducing antibodies to protect against influenza.