Facing the challenge of combination vaccines

摘要

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Several forces make development of combination vaccines an attractive calling. However, both technical and regulatory stumbling blocks need to be overcome before such vaccines will be ready for widespread use. Even though a specificcombination-vaccine product is yet to test the system, products in the pipelines of several vaccine companies suggest that such a test is imminent. Combination conjugate products to prevent pneumo-coccal infections from companies such as Wyeth-Ayerst (Radnor, PA), Merck (West Point, PA) and ConnaughtLaboratories (Swiftwater, PA) or acellular multicomponent formulations of the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine are likely first-round candidates. Later developments may include vaccines that confer protection across several diseases.