The diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine manufactured by Sanofi-Pasteur was approved last month for use as the fifth consecutive dose of the vaccine series in children aged 4 through 6 years, following four previous doses of the same vaccine.

The vaccine, marketed as DAPTACEL (Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed) by Sanofi-Pasteur, was approved for four consecutive doses in 2002, administered at 2, 4, 6, and 15-20 months of age. The Food and Drug Administration approved the fifth dose last month, based on safety data and booster responses in a study of more than 400 children for the 4- to 6-year-old dose at 22 ...