MMRV vaccine

The MMRV vaccine combines the attenuated virus MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine with the addition of chickenpox vaccine or varicella vaccine (V stands for varicella). The MMRV vaccine is typically given to children between 1 and 2 years of age.

Several companies supply MMRV vaccines. ProQuad is marketed by pharmaceutical giant Merck and was approved in 2005 for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration for children ages twelve months through twelve years. A live attenuated virus MMRV vaccine called Priorix Tetra by GlaxoSmithKline 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. As measles and rubella cause upper respiratory disease that leads to complications of pneumonia and bronchitis which are also caused by varicella, MMR vaccine is beneficial to reduce exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.