MedImmune's FluMist backed for babies

GAITHERSBURG, Md., May 16 (UPI) -- An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Wednesday backed the use of MedImmune's FluMist for children ages 2 years and older.

The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted that the FDA should expand the product's labeling to allow use of the intranasal treatment in this pediatric population, although MedImmune is seeking approval for FluMist in children as young as 1 who do not have a history of asthma or wheezing.

Members of the expert panel said they were persuaded by the data that FluMist is effective in children ages 6 months or older and safe for children 2 years and older.

The FDA is not bound to follow the advice of its panels, but does so in most cases.

FluMist is currently approved for use in patients 5 to 49 years. MedImmune is being acquired by AstraZeneca.