Russia to do without U.S. smallpox and measles vaccines, officials say
The cessation of the use of vaccines by MSD Pharmaceuticals, the Russian representative office of MSD (in the US and Canada – Merck & Co), will not adversely affect the availability of vaccination in the Russian Federation. About this TASS informed Assistant Minister of Health of Russia Alexey Kuznetsov.
“Vaccination of children against measles, mumps and rubella is carried out as part of the national vaccination schedule. The necessary volumes of vaccines are purchased centrally from a domestic manufacturer, the need is met in full. Vaccination against varicella (chickenpox) is included in the vaccination schedule according to epidemiological indications. There are several different manufacturers on the market, and the need for vaccines is also met,” Kuznetsov said.
Earlier, the Kommersant newspaper, citing Russian market participants reportedthat MSD sent out to counterparties a restriction on the restriction of consumption in the Russian Federation of the vaccine against chickenpox (“Varivax”), as well as against measles, rubella and mumps (M-M-R II). Roszdravnadzor TASS confirmed the information that in June 2022 the company notified the Ministry for Regulation of Consumption and Import of these medicines into the Russian Federation.