What is the supply situation with MMR Vaccine?
The national need for MMR vaccine is about 1.08 million doses per month. Excluding October and November, the average monthly production of MMR vaccine for January – September was 942,800 doses. October and December production was 61% lower than other months, an average of 586,000 doses per month. December supply was 1,186,000 doses. CDC contract need is about 60%, or 500 – 600,000 doses per month. CDC approved Merck’s borrowing 700,000 doses from the CDC’s vaccine reserve of 3.13 million doses to meet current demand. As of 1/21/02, all 700,000 doses have been shipped. Merck has requested approval to continue accessing the CDC MMR vaccine reserve until production capacity can meet national need.
