BASEL (dpa-AFX) - Novartis (NVS) announced that the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration or TGA has added Bexsero, a multi-component Meningococcal B or MenB vaccine suspension for injection 0.5 ml pre-filled syringe, to the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods or ARTG for use in individuals from two months of age and older. Bexsero is the first and only broad coverage vaccine to help protect all age groups against MenB disease, including infants who are at the greatest risk of infection.
MenB is a potentially deadly disease which is easily misdiagnosed and can kill within 24 hours of onset.
As a next step, Novartis would work with Australian regulatory authorities to make doses of Bexsero available in the private market in the coming months. In parallel, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, taking into account advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, is expected to make recommendations on reimbursement and potential inclusion of Bexsero in the National Immunisation Program.
Bexsero is not anticipated to provide protection against all circulating meningococcal group B strains.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX