Jan 8 (Reuters) - Merck on Thursday said any changes to the U.S. child and adolescent immunization schedule should rest on comprehensive data and guidance from vaccine experts, after federal health officials shifted several shots out of the "universally recommended" category.
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week moved vaccines for rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal disease and hepatitis A to a "shared clinical decision-making" category, telling parents to consult healthcare providers.
Public health specialists warned the rollback could drive preventable hospitalizations and deaths by lowering uptake for routine childhood immunizations.
"Clear, evidence-based recommendations remain essential to support informed decisions and ensure that children and adolescents receive reliable protection against preventable diseases," Merck said, adding that declining vaccination rates can have serious consequences amid recent U.S. outbreaks.
The company said it "stands firmly behind an immunization framework grounded in rigorous science, strong regulatory processes and ongoing safety monitoring," and said it would work with public health partners on policies that protect children and adolescents.
President Donald Trump last month urged the United States to "align with other developed nations" by reducing the number of shots for children.
Merck said international comparisons require context, including differences in disease burden, healthcare infrastructure and population needs.
Bernstein analysts said Merck could take the biggest hit from the schedule changes, estimating a potential $2 billion impact on annual revenue because of exposure to its rotavirus vaccine RotaTeq and the human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil.
The updated schedule also calls for a single dose of the HPV vaccine for U.S. children, rather than the two-dose series typically used for most adolescents.
(Reporting by Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Mobility exercises are an important part of fitness as we age. Here are some tips - 2Share your number one city visit transport that leaves a mark on the world wake up!
- 3Figure out How to Amplify Innovation and Infotainment Frameworks for Senior Drivers in SUVs
- 4They relied on marijuana to get through the day. But then days felt impossible without it
- 5Watch South Korean startup Innospace attempt its 1st-ever orbital launch today
- Astrophotographer captures spectacular photo of Antennae Galaxies dueling in deep space
- Artemis 2 astronaut Victor Glover delivers inspiring Easter message on the way to the moon (video)
- Vote In favor of Your Favored Web-based Venture Stage
- Instructions to Expand Your Advantages from an Open Record Reward
- The most effective method to Alter Your Kona SUV for Greatest Solace and Comfort
- German politician urges more face-to-face interaction in digital age
- There are thousands of aligned holes in Peru. Archaeologists now think they know who made them
- More parents refusing this shot that prevents serious bleeding at birth
- Tickets for 'Stranger Things' Season 5 finale, to be shown in movie theaters on New Year's Eve, go on sale today. Here's how you can save your seat.
