Reactions 485 - 22 Jan 1994

MMR vaccine problems in JapanDomestically produced measles, mumps and rubella

(MMR) vaccines were withdrawn in Japan in April lastyear because of their association with asepticmeningitis. Following this withdrawal, the MMR vaccineprogramme was suspended in Japan.

A report by the Japanese Ministry of Health estimatesthat aseptic meningitis occurred with 1 in every 1044vaccinations. In a previous report by the Ministry ofHealth the estimated figure was 1 in every100 000–200 000 vaccinations.

Merck Sharp & Dohme from the US are now planningto market their combined antigen vaccine MMR II inJapan. The vaccines which were produced in Japancontained the Urabe strain of the mumps virus whichhas also been associated with aseptic meningitis in othercountries. The Merck Sharp & Dohme vaccine uses theJeryl Lynn strain. It is claimed that this strain of themumps virus is associated with a much lower incidenceof aseptic meningitis.Yawata M. Japan’s troubles with measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. Lancet 343:105-106, 8 Jan 1994 800243341

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Reactions 22 Jan 1994 No. 4850114-9954/10/0485-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved