AskDrSears - The Vaccine Book: Return of Separate Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccines Planned for 2011

Return of Separate Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccines Planned for 2011

Friday, May 15, 2009

I received official word from a Merck representative that the company plans to resume production of the separate M-M-R component vaccines. They anticipate these becoming available in 2011 (no actual month specified). This is good news for those parents who want the vaccines separated, but the two year wait will leave some kids unprotected. In my MMR blog from January (http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/archives/2009_01_01_archive.asp) I discuss all the ins and outs of deciding whether or not to do the full MMR. Delaying it definitely puts children at risk of catching these diseases. Parents have to weigh all the information and decide what to do. The good news is that it looks like the separate shots will be back. I will certainly let you know as soon as they become available in 2011.

Dr. Bob

Labels: Vaccine News

48 Comments:

At May 17, 2009 4:09 AM , Alicia said...

Yippiee!!!!!
At May 17, 2009 5:09 PM , Anonymous said...

That's great!! Best news I've heard all day!!
At May 17, 2009 9:52 PM , Anonymous said...

This is good news. Thank for your advocacy on this important choice.
At May 18, 2009 9:44 AM , Anonymous said...

YEAH! Great news!
At May 18, 2009 7:02 PM , Anonymous said...

That is good to hear! Thank you for all you do, Dr. Bob!!
At May 19, 2009 4:59 AM , Anonymous said...

Honestly why did they even stop???
At May 19, 2009 10:34 AM , Anonymous said...

I could really do with these vaccines now, as in, 2009 rather than 2011. Why the wait, Merck?
At May 19, 2009 10:48 AM , Anonymous said...

I just called Merck (http://www.merck.com/), the distributer of the MMR vaccine, and asked why as a private business, they would stop distributing the individual vaccines when there is such a high demand (and opportunity to make money). The customer service rep kept repeating that Merck needed to prioritize the
Distribution of the combined MMR shot due to high demand. She had a canned answer
and no other explanation. It makes no sense. I think we should go Erin Brockovich on Merck and start flooding the customer service with calls demanding a better answer. The number is 1-800-672-6372 and then hit prompts 2 then 3. I want to vaccinate my child, but on my own terms, and they are prohibiting me from doing so until 2011.
At May 20, 2009 7:05 AM , Dr. Bob said...

Why will it take until 2011? Well, it's NOT because they are waiting a while to begin the process again. I think they are beginning as soon as they can. It takes a lot of time to get the separate vaccine production up and running again.

So, we can complain that they stopped and caused this delay, but I don't think they are purposely waiting for a long time to start up again. I think it just takes a lot of planning and preparation. They have several other vaccines to make and they have to balance out all their production.

I'm not defending them, but I think that they aren't able to just start cranking it out again just like that. It takes time.
At May 20, 2009 8:48 AM , Raz said...

So.. now that my 20 month old has received Mumps and Rubella.. what do I do?
At May 20, 2009 4:50 PM , Kim said...

In your opinion, say you had a year old baby right NOW, would you wait until they are 3--possibly 4 years old to get the shot? (knowing the risks of being unprotected til then) OR would you get it as a combined shot somewhere btwn now and then? I'd love to know your thoughts. Thanks!
At May 21, 2009 1:28 PM , Dr. Bob said...

Raz - read thru the link that's on this blog - I go thru all the choices.
Kim - good question. I just don't answer that type of question. I lay out all the choices. I will say that most of the patients in my office have chosen to just go without the MMR for now and wait.
At May 21, 2009 4:21 PM , Kim said...

Thanks Dr Bob :)
At May 22, 2009 6:23 AM , Patti said...

That is great news! I think it takes more time than the public realizes to manufacture any pharmaceutical.

However to Kim's question of having an non-vaccinated (for MMR components) child at 1yrs old... I am in that unfortunate "boat". My daughter is 14 months and we were waiting for the separate shots until I finally went online and found out Merck did not have them in production. I did inform my doctor as to why they were on indefinite back order. There are other parents in my office waiting for the separate shots.
So at her next appointment I'll discuss options, I don't know the health risks if she does contract Measles, Mumps, or Rubella.

Dr. Bob thank you for keeping us (parents) in the know.
Just an FYI - The 800 customer service number is a joke. Its somewhere in Asia and they are reading from a script. I called and couldn't get my point across (I was being nice).

Who knows why Merck chose to stop production.
At May 22, 2009 7:56 AM , Carmen said...

Yeah!!!! Thank heaven. There was no way I was giving my son the MMR, but now I will definitely give him the seperate measles vaccine. great news!
Carmen, Miami, FL
At May 22, 2009 6:48 PM , Anonymous said...

I am so confused! Was there something wrong with the combined shot?
At May 23, 2009 5:13 AM , Kim said...

Patti - we'll be discussing as well at his 15 mt appt (he's 14 mts too).. I'd LOVE to know what yours said. I believe you're able to email me if you click on my name. Would love to hear from you. Kim
At May 24, 2009 12:27 PM , Anonymous said...

hallelujah!
At May 24, 2009 6:24 PM , Amanda said...

Not sure what to do. Our 18 mo well visit is on July 1st, and I know they will be asking us to do the MMR. We would have been happy to start the series if the separate shots were available, but arent comfortable with the combo. So do we leave him completely unprotected for 2 more years? By that time, it would be completely safe to give the combo anyway. I am so confused....any help and advice would be appreciated!
At May 26, 2009 10:03 AM , Biljana said...

I was able to find the separate Measles, but it expires in March 2010. At that time my son will be 18months. So, do I give him the separate Measles and then give him the full MMR at age 4? Shold I just wait? I will be traveling internationally around age 2, if that should play any role in my decision. Any advice please?
At May 26, 2009 10:56 AM , Christy said...

I had called Merck a couple of weeks ago and received the same info as Dr. Bob. However, the rep also told me that just b/c there will be some supply in 2011 doesn't mean there will be enough for all those waiting...so, just don't put all your eggs in one basket counting on the fact that you will definitely have shots available to you in 2011. You might not.

My son is 3.5 and is going for his MMR tomorrow. We decided to wait, and since Dr. Bob says to hold off on measles until 3, that is what we did. (Waited until 3.5 so that it would be summer when his immune system is strongest & we're not in the nursery as much). I'm not a fan of the combined shot, but I'm much more comfortable giving it at 3.5 than 12-18 months. He's had no problems with his other shots, and since those are all out of the way, I feel his immune system is somewhat in the clear. His cognitive abilities are fully developed, and he has had no digestive issues. If something happens in the near future, I will strongly suspect the shot. However, I really do think he'll be fine. We've had no issues with any of the MMR diseases in the past 3.5 years (and we are very involved with our church & in the nursery a lot). The only reason I am getting the shot now is so that he'll be able to enter school. Since he'll need the booster at 5, I didn't want to give the two shots close together.

As a side note, almost all my friends give the MMR at the designated time, and while their children seem "fine", I'm surprised at how well my son speaks and uses his vocabulary. I don't want to toot my own horn; ultimately, God has blessed him this way. But I do wonder if delaying the shot helped his cognitive and speech abilities. It is purely anecdotal. Maybe I'll be singing a different song about my second son (who is 15 months and has not had his MMR either!)
At May 26, 2009 12:43 PM , Anonymous said...

I was told that the delay in offering individial vaccines for so long is to be able to use up the combination vaccine already on the market. I beleive ALL the vaccines should be offered individual so that you can refuse or accept any certian one you choose.
At May 26, 2009 1:05 PM , Dr. Bob said...

Amanda and Biljana - you can read the MMR blog that links from THIS blog - I go over all the choices you can make.
As for travel, Biljana, IF you are traveling to a country that has a problem with measles, then that might be a good reason to get the vax before travel.

Anon - I doubt that's true. There is no surplus of MMR on the market. They can barely keep up with demand.
At May 26, 2009 3:25 PM , Stacy said...

Thanks, Dr. Bob--and readers--for lending info and advice. I, unfortunately, cannot find "vaccine friendly" doctors nor ones that offer the separate measles vaccine in my area. (I moved from Newport Beach, CA--where there ARE such docs, as readers know--to a suburb of Minneapolis and am so frustrated by the lack of support here regarding vacs. Also, it's very difficult to find preservative-free flu shots so we skipped it.) My son is 18 months now and I have him on Dr. Sears' alternate vacs schedule, having read his book. My son's pediatrician asks me about his MMR and I have said we are waiting until at least 2 yrs of age. But I am uncertain if I can/will wait til 2011(?). If we're blessed with a second baby, we'll definitely wait for the separate vacs. Such great news!!! (P.S. It's a long shot, but if any readers out there live in the Twin Cities area and know of a vac-friendly pediatric group or doctor, please reply. Thank you!!)
At May 27, 2009 5:47 AM , Mel said...

This is wonderful news. I have the measles and rubella vaccines in my fridge, due to expire in December 2010. Do you think it's safe to count on Merck in 2011 and start giving my son the measles when he turns 3 in a few months? Or would you recommend waiting? I have no problem with giving him the full shot when he is older.
At May 29, 2009 3:19 PM , Dr. Bob said...

Mel - Not sure what you mean by "count on Merck". It's good that you have some doses and I think it's fine to go ahead and get them as planned.
At June 1, 2009 4:34 PM , Lynn Stallworth said...

That is wonderful news. My twin boys are 3 and autistic (and fully vaccinated except the Hep A booster which we chose to wait on) and they will be due to start boosters next year at their 4 year appointment. I already talked with their dr. and she is more than happy to accommodate an alternative schedule. She didn't know that Merck agreed to produce the seperated MMR vaccines again. I will have their titers drawn and wait until they turn 5 (in 2011) to have the separate MMR given. I'm so glad they decided to do this!
At June 4, 2009 6:33 AM , Anonymous said...

This is for Christy who left the message on May 26th, or anyone else who can shed some light for me....my daughter is 14 months and is scheduled to get her MMR shot the last week of July when she is 15 and half months--- the combo one and I asked my doctor's office if they do the separate shots and they said they don't. This does sound comforting that they will be separating the shots again...in reality, how many babies get measles, mumps, or rubella nowadays anyway? She will be back in full time daycare, in New Jersey-the vaccination capital of the world- so I may claim religious exemption. I do want my daughter to be older with the combo shot especially since she does not walk yet or fully grasp language yet...thoughts from other parents are welcome!
At June 5, 2009 7:47 AM , Anonymous said...

I am confused at why the separate vaccines are such a big deal. In Japan they have been giving they individual vaccines and their rates for autism having been rising like the rest of the world. There is no evidence of increased risk with combined vaccines.
At June 5, 2009 7:49 AM , Kim said...

our son is 14 mts and has not had the MMR yet. We are delaying it until he is 3 or 3.5 or they offer it separated, whichever comes first!
At June 5, 2009 3:09 PM , Koren said...

Hi,
I was wondering if you know if the seperate components of the MMR are only going to be available in the US. I reside in Canada, I emailed a Merck representative and received a response back from the vaccine product manager stating that it is false information. Thank you
At June 8, 2009 7:41 AM , Laura said...

my child is two and I still am very fearful of getting vaccinated for MMR - which is required for preschool (if I choose to enroll my child...I'm still debating!). I don't want to use religious exemption because the school is religious! (they would look at me like I'm nuts, I'm sure). and to wait another two years for separate vaccinations is a long time - does that mean no preschool for my child until then?
At June 11, 2009 12:14 PM , Anonymous said...

As another previous post here alluded to (referring to rates in Japan); are we certain that the single shots are any safer? I mean Wakefield's study, as well as others, found measles in the intestines of autistic children suffering from the autistic bowel condition (for lack of the technical term) right? So why should we think a single shot would be any safer than the the combination?
At June 11, 2009 8:24 PM , Anonymous said...

I would like to offer some food for thought in response to several of the posts. One of these is that measles is very much a concern in this country. In March of this year in PA, there was a measles outbreak and a 4 year old unvaccinated child died. Measles is not as benign a disease as most people believe, and I think because our generation has not lived through measles epidemics, we forget this.

One other thing is in reference to the Wakefield study. You should know that 10 of the 13 authors of that study retracted the whole thing and Wakefield is now involved in disciplinary hearings because he failed to disclose that he was funded by a legal aid board that was also involved in a lawsuit against vaccine manufacturers.
At June 11, 2009 8:51 PM , dwi11 said...

Can we be sure the new vaccines will be the same formula as before. Or will they pose new health risks?
At June 11, 2009 8:54 PM , dwi11 said...

In response to food for thought:
More than 270 cases of measles have been reported in Wales since 1January 2009 and ZERO deaths.
At June 15, 2009 12:28 PM , Anonymous said...

I called Merck. Everyone should call to request they move up the date. My child will not be able to start school without the rest of his vaccines. I already got him the measles and then they discontinued production so my only option would be to give him the MMR which I am refusing to do. You can write to:
Merck and Co Inc.
PO Box 4
West Point, PA 19486

The Rep on the phone told me all complaints are reported so lets keep calling people!!
At June 21, 2009 10:42 AM , matt said...

are the separate vaccines available anywhere else in the world?

also.... l know this isnt connected to MMR, but my daughter is 18 months, and not yet vaccinated. she is still breastfed but about to go into childcare. should we vacc against HIB, Pc and DTP? or leave it not since she's close to 2 yrs?

if yes, will she need fewer shots now she's older?
At June 23, 2009 9:01 AM , Anonymous said...

2011? Vaccine Manufacturers can crank out a BRAND NEW H1N1 vaccine in a matter of months but it takes nearly 2 years to resume singles when they already make a combine vax of the components.

I smell something VERY fishy. As in they might just be putting parents off as they are tired of the calls. Or something.

I do not buy that it takes them that long to resume production.
At June 24, 2009 10:09 AM , MKP said...

I was recently informed that in my state, Massachusetts, it would no longer be acceptable to check titers before doing boosters for kindegarten requirements. This is distressing - I don't want my kids to have any unnecessary additional vaccines if they have proven immunity. Can anyone else weigh in on this information?
At June 28, 2009 4:17 PM , Anonymous said...

Ok, so with no MMR until 2011 and my child is not vaccinated do I dare travel anywhere with him on an airplane through international airports?
At June 29, 2009 3:45 PM , Jen said...

I am nearly 8 weeks pregnant. I know that rubella can be dangerous for pregnant women, and my 19 month old has not had MMR. She is still breastfed and I plan to continue until she is at least 2 (why get my chest used to NOT nursing and then start over!). Should I have her vaccinated or should I wait? If she is vaccinated, is there a chance she could get measles, mumps, or rubella from the shot and therefore expose me to it as well? Thanks for all that you do, I recommend your book to all my mommy friends!
At July 8, 2009 8:35 AM , Anonymous said...

Good, I hope Merck/congress don't decide to limit this again! I know they will have at least my business if the sepereate them.
At August 11, 2009 6:14 PM , Dickinson said...

Tomorrow is our big day for the 5 y.o. twins MMR shot. I think I will pass. After the first round they both had seizures about 1.5 months out. We almost lost them. Extremely shallow breathing, unconscious, 911, incubated and a week in ICU - but they are alive. The doctors in both cases were mum - the nurses on the other hand . . . They are fine now without a diagnosis of any illness. Thank God. This is uncharted territory with our kids riding the bow. I realize these vaccinations will help prevent diseases but to me if they don't survive the shot schedule what does it matter. If Merck has decided to manufacture separate vaccinations then they must realize there is a problem. No school, no problem. I'll wait.
At August 13, 2009 5:08 AM , Navy Phim said...

I had my ninth months check up for my son and talked to my doctor about getting the separate MMR shot and she was adamant that there isn't any. I mentioned reading an artcle that it was coming back in 2010 (wrong year on my part) but she was still adamant about it.

I have been wanting to switch to her partner. The one time, I met with her when my pedi wasn't in, I noticed such a big difference between the care I was getting. She was detailed and more attention, and she even looked at the vaccine schedule I had and make a few suggestion, i.e, the fact that my son already had pentcel shot so I should just do the polio at an earlier date to keep all three close together. I thought it was sound advice. Anyway, I asked the pedi if I can switch to her partner... She agreed but she was also MAD. She stormed out of the room in a flurry!!!
At September 9, 2009 8:53 PM , The Cameron Clan said...

Dr. Bob,
I have a 2.5 year old that i have wanted to get the seperate MMR shots for. She is allergic to something in all of her vaccines. I think it is a preservative. I have met with an allergist and we can't figure it out. Her doctor has never believed me and says that kids aren't allergic to vaccines. She gets diarrhea (4 or 5 a day, very runny) after any shot.. she had it once for 1 month bad and it continued less often (1 to 2 a day) for 2 more months. Other times it was around 3 weeks to 1 month. We think she is allergic to citrus and hot dogs as well. I work part time and her day care is pushing me to get the MMR. What would you do?
She is very smart, her speech is excellent at 18 months she had 80 words, 21 months she had 300 words, She speaks in long sentences asks questions and starts conversations.
At September 13, 2009 8:13 AM , Anonymous said...

I have a 1 year old. After much research, we will not be getting any vaccines. Getting the actual diseases that vaccines are made to prevent are, in my opinion, safer and less sever then the vaccines.
At October 27, 2009 11:27 AM , vm said...

It's official: Merck will NOT be producing separate MMR vaccines in the future. From the CDC:

"On October 21, 2009, Merck announced that 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)."