Aventis Pasteur Statement on New Influenza Immunization Recommendations for Infants, Young Children and Their Close Contacts SWIFTWATER, Pa., April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- New Pediatric Influenza Recommendations Today, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published new recommendations that all children 6 to 23 months of age receive an annual influenza vaccination beginning this year (2004/2005 influenza season). In addition, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of all children younger than 24 months of age are recommended to be immunized against influenza each year. These new recommendations are consistent with those issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Aventis Pasteur commends the CDC as well as the AAP and AAFP for their leadership in recommending immunization for this pediatric age group, shown to be at an increased risk for hospitalizations due to influenza-related complications. Influenza is a leading cause of death in children and, along with pneumonia, is the sixth leading cause of death in children 1 to 4 years of age.(i) "Immunizing children aged 6 to 23 months and their close contacts against influenza will help reduce the high numbers of young children hospitalized each year due to influenza-related health problems," said Michael D. Decker, MD, MPH, vice president for scientific and medical affairs at Aventis Pasteur, the human vaccines business of Aventis. "This is an important milestone in helping to protect all children from the serious effects of influenza and its complications." In addition to the newly issued recommendations, CDC also continues to strongly recommend annual influenza vaccination for all children 6 months of age and older with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes. Annual vaccination is also recommended for their household contacts and out- of-home caregivers. Children at risk for influenza-related complications can receive influenza vaccine at the same time they receive other routine vaccinations in preparation for the influenza season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).(ii) Children younger than 9 years of age receiving influenza vaccine for the first time require two doses, one month apart.(iii) Pre-booking Influenza Vaccine Ends May 15 (or until supplies last) Fluzone(R), Influenza Virus Vaccine is the only influenza vaccine licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in children under 4 years of age. Fluzone(R) Preservative-free: Pediatric Dose, Influenza Virus Vaccine is a preservative-free formulation, and is the only preservative-free influenza vaccine licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for infants aged 6 through 35 months. Aventis Pasteur is accepting prebook orders for both formulations of Fluzone vaccine until May 15 (or until supplies last). Prebooking is the best way to ensure customers have vaccine for the 2004- 2005 influenza season. It is important for providers to place their orders during the prebooking period to enable Aventis Pasteur to produce the proper amount of influenza vaccine for the upcoming season. Customers can place orders for influenza vaccine via Aventis Pasteur's e-commerce Web site as well as via phone or fax: * On-line: http://www.vaccineshoppe.com/ (on-line orders receive 2 percent savings) * Phone: 1-800-VACCINE (1-800-822-2463) * Fax: 1-800-561-1216 Safety Information Influenza vaccine is made from killed strains of the viruses predicted to be the main causes of influenza in the coming season. Because the viruses are killed, it is impossible to get influenza from the vaccine. The most common side effect is soreness at the vaccination site that can last up to two days. Less common side effects are fever, malaise, myalgia, and other systemic reactions. Influenza vaccine should not be administered to anyone with a history of hypersensitivity to eggs, egg products, or thimerosal. As with any vaccine, vaccination with Fluzone vaccine may not protect 100 percent of susceptible individuals. For full prescribing information, see the package insert at http://www.us.aventispasteur.com/. About Aventis Aventis is dedicated to treating and preventing disease by discovering and developing innovative prescription drugs and human vaccines. In 2003, Aventis generated sales of euro 16.79 billion, invested euro 2.86 billion in research and development and employed approximately 69,000 people in its core business. Aventis corporate headquarters are in Strasbourg, France. For more information, please visit: http://www.aventis.com/. Aventis Pasteur, the vaccines business of Aventis, produced 1.4 billion doses of vaccine in 2003, making it possible to protect 500 million people across the globe, which is about 1.4 million per day. The company offers the broadest range of vaccines, providing protection against 20 bacterial and viral diseases. For more information, please visit: http://www.aventispasteur.com/ Aventis Forward Looking Statement Statements in this document containing projections or estimates of revenues, income, earnings per share, capital expenditures, capital structure, or other financial items; plans and objectives relating to future operations, products, or services; future economic performance; or assumptions underlying or relating to any such statements, are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially depending on factors such as the timing and effects of regulatory actions, the results of clinical trials, the company's relative success developing and gaining market acceptance for new products, the outcome of significant litigation, and the effectiveness of patent protection. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties is set forth in the current Annual Report on Form 20-F of Aventis on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the current Annual Report -"Document de Reference"- on file with the "Autorite des marches financiers" in France. (i) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 49, No. 11, October 12, 2001. (ii) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR 2004;53(Early Release): 12-14. (iii) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR 2004;53(Early Release): 12. Contact: Len Lavenda Aventis Pasteur, Inc. Tel.: 570 839 4446 Sarah Dumont Cooney/Waters Group Tel: 212 886 2200 DATASOURCE: Aventis Pasteur, Inc. CONTACT: Len Lavenda of Aventis Pasteur, Inc., +1-570-839-4446, ; or Sarah Dumont of Cooney-Waters Group, +1-212-886-2200, , for Aventis Pasteur, Inc. Web site: http://www.vaccineshoppe.com/ http://www.aventispasteur.com/ http://www.aventis.com/

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