Merck's rotavirus vaccine awarded WHO pre-qualification status

Merck & Co has announced that Rotateq, the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine that helps prevent rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants and children, has received pre-qualification status from the World Health Organization. The World Health Organization (WHO) pre-qualification allows for expanded access to Rotateq and provides a greater opportunity to help protect millions of babies from rotavirus gastroenteritis, said Merck. Because Rotateq is pre-qualified by the WHO, the vaccine is eligible for procurement by the Pan American Health Organization, UNICEF and other United Nations agencies for use in national vaccination programs. Rotateq is said to be the only ready-to-use oral liquid rotavirus vaccine to receive WHO pre-qualification. In the US, Rotateq is indicated for use in infants and children for the prevention of rotavirus... [read full story]