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Notice to Readers: Update on Supply of Vaccines Containing
Varicella-Zoster Virus
In February 2007, CDC received notice from Merck & Co., Inc., that because of lower than expected amounts of
varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in its recently manufactured bulk vaccine, Merck was prioritizing production of varicella
(Varivax®) and zoster vaccines
(Zostavax®) over production of MMR-V vaccine
(ProQuad®) (1).
In May 2007, CDC received further notice from Merck that current projections of orders indicate ProQuad will
be unavailable beginning in July 2007, although timing will
depend on market demand. This might cause extended back
orders for the next few months. After depletion of the existing supply, ProQuad is not expected to be available for the
remainder of 2007. Merck is requesting that customers begin transitioning from ProQuad to M-M-R
II® and Varivax at their earliest convenience.
Merck expects to continue to meet demands for Varivax and M-M-R II to fully implement the recommended
immunization schedule. This will allow for continued use of varicella vaccine for all age groups, including the routine 2-dose schedule
for children aged 12--15 months and 4--6 years, catch-up vaccination with the second dose for children or adolescents
who received only 1 dose, and vaccination with 2 doses for other children, adolescents, and adults without evidence of
immunity (2--4). For zoster vaccine, the supply of Zostavax is expected to be adequate for routine vaccination of adults aged
>60 years (5).
Questions regarding the supply of these Merck products should be addressed to Merck's National Service Center at
800-637-2590. Updates on vaccine shortages and delays are available from CDC at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/news/shortages/default.htm.
Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.References to non-CDC sites on the Internet are
provided as a service to MMWR readers and do not constitute or imply
endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. CDC is not responsible for the content
of pages found at these sites. URL addresses listed in MMWR were current as of
the date of publication.
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