GSK rotavirus vaccine gets committee review

Executive Summary

GlaxoSmithKline's rotavirus vaccine Rotarix is scheduled for review by the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Feb. 20. Over two consecutive seasons, Rotarix was more effective at preventing against rotavirus than Merck's RotaTeq, but GSK's vaccine fared worse at preventing severe cases. The product class has a history of safety concerns as well - Wyeth's RotaShield was withdrawn in 1999 due to safety concerns of intestinal blockage, and the label for Merck's RotaTeq was changed over incidence of intussusception as well in February 2007...