MMRV vaccine

The MMRV vaccine combines the attenuated virus MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine with the addition of chickenpox vaccine.

One MMRV vaccine, approved in 2005 for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration for children ages twelve months through twelve years, is called ProQuad. The vaccine is administered via injection for protection against four viral infectious diseases, and contains about ten times more chickenpox vaccine than the Varivax brand varicella vaccine. The quadruple vaccine, marketed by pharmaceutical giant Merck, is generally administered to children around the age of one year.

A MMRV vaccine called Priorix Tetra by GlaxoSmithKline, targeted at children 1-2 years of age, has been approved in Germany and Australia.

Motivation
The World Health Organization recommends vaccinating against measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), and varicella (chickenpox) because the risks of these diseases far outweigh the risks of vaccinating against them. In particular, the World Health Organization recommends varicella vaccination in countries where the vaccine is affordable, the disease is a relatively important problem, and high and sustained coverage can be achieved. The U.S. and a few other countries have widely implemented this. MMR and varicella vaccine are given at roughly the same time and a booster injection is recommended for both. The MMRV vaccine, a combined MMR and varicella vaccine, simplifies administration of the vaccines.

Availability
In May, 2007, the manufacturer Merck announced that, due to manufacturing problems in the chickenpox component, the Merck vaccine ProQuad is not available. In August 2007, Merck announced that they did not know whether ProQuad would be made available in 2008 due to an issue with its bulk manufacturing process, but their goal was to restore its availability as soon as possible.

Contraindications

 * For individuals who are moderately or severely ill, it is generally recommended that they wait until after recovery before getting ProQuad. No such precautions are recommended for minor illnesses, such as a cold.
 * It is recommended that aspirin or aspirin containing products should be avoided for at least six weeks after receiving ProQuad vaccine. A serious condition called Reye's Syndrome has been reported in patients with chicken pox.
 * Individuals should not receive ProQuad without first consulting their doctor if there is a history of a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, eggs, the antibiotic neomycin, or a previous MMR or chicken pox vaccine

Doctors are advised to be aware of whether or not a patient has HIV, AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system, is taking a medication that affects the immune system, has cancer, a fever or active untreated tuberculosis, is receiving cancer treatment, or has ever had a low platelet count (a blood disorder). ·

Adverse events
Rare but serious adverse events reported following ProQuad vaccination include allergic reactions, including swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; difficulty breathing or closing of the throat; hives; paleness; weakness; dizziness; a fast heart beat; deafness; long-term seizures, coma, or lowered consciousness; permanent brain damage; seizures (jerking or staring) caused by fever; or temporary low platelet count. According to information from CDC, MMRV vaccine has been associated with higher rates of fever (up to about 1 person in 5) and measles-like rash (about 1 person in 20) compared with MMR and varicella vaccines given separately.