Sanofi-Aventis launches Adacel vaccine in U.S.

PARIS (Reuters) – Sanofi-Aventis has launched its whooping
cough vaccine Adacel in the United States, the world’s third
largest drugmaker said on Monday.

Adacel, which combines whooping cough vaccine with routine
tetanus and diphtheria booster shots, was cleared last month
for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
for people aged 11 to 64 years.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection
marked by severe coughing spells and a “whoop” sound when
patients inhale.