pneumonia

Japan's health ministry says it's continuing its suspension of pediatric vaccines made by Pfizer and Sanofi-Aventis, despite finding no connection between the vaccines and the deaths of four children. Both drugmakers are cooperating with the government and expect to be cleared.

U.S. hospitals are doing a more effective job treating patients for heart attacks, pneumonia and surgical procedures, an independent healthcare accreditation organization said in a report released today.

The World Health Organization has granted prequalification to Pfizer's Prevnar 13 pediatric vaccine, which protects against an array of pneumococcal diseases, the world's leading cause of vaccine-preventable death in children under 5. Pfizer's shares rose more than 1% Monday.