4 July 2008
To All our Clients
RE: Shortage of Mumpsvax supplies
I would like to take this opportunity to keep you informed of the current issues with regard to Mumpsvax supplies. It appears that the whole of the United Kingdom, as well as North America will be facing a shortage of Mumpsvax brand mumps vaccines until the next batch is released in April 2009.
Sources from within the manufacturers (Merck & Co, New Jersey, USA) and their agents suggest that the current batch of Mumpsvax which was released onto the market recently (expiring 2010) has been fully consumed due to the unprecedented demand.
The vaccine requirements of our clinics are now on backorder, directly with the main suppliers in the USA. While awaiting the release of the new batch all our clients will automatically be placed on the waiting list and offered the Rubella vaccine as the second immunisation to be given at least 6 weeks after the initial Measles jab. Please note that there is no fixed order in which the three vaccines should be received, though it is important to receive the Measles vaccine first because of the seriousness of that particular disease.
It is also worth considering that while awaiting the mumps vaccine, you or your child remains vulnerable to that disease and the usual precautions need to be exercised in terms of limiting contact with any obvious mumps sufferers. To the best of our knowledge there are no current localised outbreaks of mumps in the UK.
It is our understanding that the manufacturer and their agents would be seeking to supply doctors and clinics in the USA as a matter of first priority before exporting to the UK, and as such we are unable to give any precise guarantees on how long the actual waiting time for this vaccine would be.
Please rest assured that we will continue our efforts to ensure that the supply resumes with the least possible delay or inconvenience.
If you require any further information, or clarification in this regard, please contact us on 0845 130 4595.
With best wishes,
Dr Ratnasinghe and the Direct Remedies Ltd team.
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