More problems for Chiron vaccines

News today that Chiron has recalled and withdrawn one of its measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, Morupar, due to concerns over rates of adverse events. Here's the Chiron press release. The AP story, courtesy of the Washington Post site, explains...

"Italy determined five patients immunized with Morupar suffered adverse reactions, including fever and swelling of the glands, commonly associated with the vaccine, Marquiss said.

The same pattern hasn't been cropping up with MMR vaccines made by two other manufacturers, prompting the Italian Medicine Agency to order a withdrawal of Chiron's product from the market to protect the public's health."

It should be noted that this news has no direct impact on vaccination in the U.S., where the recalled vaccine is not licensed. (The only MMR vaccine available in the U.S. is this one from Merck. Whether it's wise to have only a single manufacturer for a universal vaccine is a topic for another post.)

Indirectly, however, today's news -- the sequel to their flu vaccine debacle in 2004 -- should raise alarms worldwide over Chiron's overall competence. At this point, it may be worth taking a closer look at how greatly Chiron should be relied upon to meet future vaccine needs, particularly with respect to avian flu. Just last month, in fact, Chiron received an extension from the U.S. government to deliver the (1st generation) avian flu vaccine for which they received a $62.5 million contract last October.