Washington, D.C. ? A five-in-one vaccine that could reduce the number of jabs children receive is both safe and effective, federal health advisers said Thursday.

The endorsement makes it more likely the Food and Drug Administration will approve the Sanofi Pasteur vaccine.

The vaccine is meant to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and bacterial infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib. Hib disease can cause meningitis, pneumonia and arthritis.

If approved, the vaccine could eliminate seven of the 23 federally recommended injections children now must endure through age 18 months, according to Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines business of Paris-based Sanofi-Aventis.