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Thursday, July 8, 2010

Merck NOT to resume production of monovalent measles, mumps and rubella

A recent rumor stated that Merck might be supplying their monovalent measles, mumps and rubella vaccines again "some time in 2011". Before anyone gets their hopes up, I went to Merck's webpage. This is their most recent statement (last checked 12 June 2011, my bold):

Based on input from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), professional societies, scientific leaders, and customers, Merck has decided not to resume production of ATTENUVAX® (Measles Virus Vaccine Live), MUMPSVAX® (Mumps Virus Vaccine Live), and MERUVAX®II (Rubella Virus Vaccine Live). This science-based decision will support vaccination of the largest group of appropriate individuals. Merck will continue to focus necessary resources to ensure that they can help meet current and future global public health needs for their combination measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, M-M-R®II (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Virus Vaccine Live).


Parents should not withhold the MMR from their children in the hope of finding monovalent vaccines again. Recent outbreaks underscore the importance of adequate protection from all three diseases.