Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - March 24, 2024 - Canada's two measles vaccination suppliers are low on supplies.

 As the highly contagious sickness spreads across the country, health officials advise Canadians to be vaccinated, especially before going abroad.

 Merck and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) reported shortages of their MMR vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella on Canada's medicine shortage website, with remaining doses allocated for public immunization programs.

 The businesses say “demand-increase for the drug” is the reason. According to Merck, MMR II vaccine doses are “reserved for the public immunization program.” For its Priorix shot, GlaxoSmithKline says “supply (is) unavailable in the private market.”

 Merck expects the shortage to end on April 19 according to its filing. GlaxoSmithKline's end forecast is “unknown.”

 From March 22 to April 19, Merck expects a scarcity of its MMRV vaccination ProQuad, which also inoculates against chickenpox and measles.

 Though measles has spread in Canada, the shortages likely mainly affect persons getting another vaccine before going abroad.

 “We're getting extra supply for people who say, 'Well, I'm going to Europe and I know there's a lot of measles in Europe. I don't remember if I got a second shot.

“We’re very concerned about adults born in the 1970s,” said Gerald Evans, Queen's University infectious diseases division chair. Because people born before that may have survived measles and have immunity, and because people born later likely got two vaccinations, they are completely vaccinated.

Health Canada told Global News in an email Friday that “Canadians can be assured that there are enough measles vaccines to sustain existing and increased public vaccinations.”

 Merck and GST have told Health Canada they can meet MMR vaccination demand, the regulator says.

 "There is sufficient measles-containing vaccine and post-exposure prophylaxis available to support outbreak management and targeted campaigns in response to importations and case management," Health Canada said.

 The regulator said Merck's scarcity solely affects the private sector, which “makes up an extremely small portion of the overall demand.”

 Health Canada says GSK posted the shortage notice “as a means to proactively and transparently communicate their inability to meet any new increased demand from the private market.”

 The organization said Health Canada and Public Health organization of Canada are monitoring supplies with manufacturers, provinces and territories, and partners across the healthcare system.