Recent news
August 2011
Merck enters partnership to develop childhood vaccines
August 8, 2011 -- The pharmaceutical company Merck recently announced that it will partner with the Serum Institute of India to develop a children’s pneumococcal vaccine for use in emerging and developing countries. Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that causes illnesses such as pneumonia and meningitis.
"Working side by side with Serum gives us the best chance of developing and bringing a product to the market that will help to protect more babies and children," said Julie L. Gerberding, president of Merck Vaccines. She added, "Expanding vaccine access to emerging and developing markets is a top priority and we feel strongly that this collaboration will be a giant step toward impacting the devastation of pneumococcal disease." Merck manufactures Pneumovax 23, a pneumococcal vaccine that is recommended in the United States for adults over 65 and for younger patients with weak immune systems. It protects against 23 strains of the disease. See the links below for more information.
