1/14/02
Press Release

IVAC's Demand for Chickenpox Vaccine Mandate Vote Delay

IVAC asks the Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) to delay the chickenpox vaccine mandate vote until the federal government clears Merck of plant violations. Merck manufactures Varivax, the chickenpox vaccine.

On January 4, 2002, the Food and Drug Administration released a 23-page extensive investigation/observation report of improper procedures at Merck's Pennsylvania plant. These serious violations-sterility, testing and documentation-caused Merck plant closure for more than a month in the fall. The other vaccines in question are haemophilus B/hepatitis B (Comvax), hepatitis A (VAQTA), Hepatitis B (Recombivax), measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and pneumococcal (Pneumovax).

According to Barbara Alexander Mullarkey, IVAC spokeswoman, "It's too risky to force chickenpox vaccine on Illinois children when a black cloud hangs over Merck's vaccines. In addition, Merck scientists have failed to produce peer-reviewed, published safety studies on the chickenpox vaccine's ingredients and long-term effects. Safety takes precedence over concern about vaccine shortages. IVAC members value vaccine safety first."