A new vaccine the first of its kind for children - may soon be available to protect youngsters against the bacteria responsible for many ear infections. About 80 percent of all children will have an ear infection before their second birthday, and many suffer from multiple infections, pediatricians say. An ear infection is the inflammation of the middle ear, the grape-sized cavity just behind the eardrum. Bacteria and viruses enter the middle ear through the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat and nose. The buildup of pus and fluid in the middle ear causes pain, and can lead to temporary hearing loss.
Chronic infections can stunt a child s language and speech development.
Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, which plans to make the vaccine under the brand name Prevnar , is hoping for final approval from the Food and Drug Administration early this year. An advisory committee for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the vaccine, if approved, could be used on all children up to age 5. The vaccine would protect children against the seven strains of the pneumococcus bacteria that are most common in the United States. Needless to say, we are all excited about the vaccine. It just gives us another way to battle the infection, said Dr. Seth Pransky, a pediatric specialist in ear, nose and throat disorders at Children s Hospital in San Diego.