Download February 2012 Dear Health Care Professional

February 2012
Dear Health Care Professional:
I am writing to provide you an update on the progress we continue to make with the supply of
ZOSTAVAX® (Zoster Vaccine Live). Since my letter last fall, I'm pleased to inform you that
ZOSTAVAX returned to normal, two-day shipping and we continue to build inventory levels to
ensure regular access to this important vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
(CDC) recommends ZOSTAVAX for all appropriate patients 60 years and older at the first clinical
encounter. And, with over 50 million Americans age 60 years and older, Merck recognizes there
is a significant unmet medical need for this vaccine.
The supply improvements for ZOSTAVAX are a result of dedicated efforts to increase production
capacity and reliability. These efforts resulted in a record number of doses released in 2011, with
consistent monthly shipments to over 49,000 locations across all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. In fact, we have shipped over 10 million doses since the product approval in 2006.
With the return to normal shipping and expected continuous supply, Merck plans to expand
educational efforts on shingles and ZOSTAVAX to both Health care Professionals and patients.
The CDC and the National Foundation for Infectious Disease have reported that the general
public is largely unaware of adult vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases. These
organizations and various medical societies have highlighted the need to increase both health
care provider and patient awareness to help increase adult vaccination rates. We look forward to
providing you more details regarding some of these educational activities in the near future, and
to working with you to help protect your patients against shingles.
ZOSTAVAX is available for order on a first-in first-out basis from your preferred distributor,
wholesaler or directly from Merck. ZOSTAVAX is covered by many commercial insurance and
Medicare Part D plans for patients age 60 years and older. Should you wish to order ZOSTAVAX
or have additional questions, please contact your Merck representative or call 1-877-VAXMERCK.
ABOUT ZOSTAVAX
ZOSTAVAX is a live attenuated virus vaccine indicated for prevention of herpes zoster (shingles)
in individuals 50 years of age and older. ZOSTAVAX is not indicated for the treatment of zoster or
postherpetic neuralgia. ZOSTAVAX should not be used for prevention of primary varicella
infection (Chickenpox).
SELECT SAFETY INFORMATION
Vaccination with ZOSTAVAX does not result in protection of all vaccine recipients.
ZOSTAVAX is contraindicated in: persons with a history of anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reaction
to gelatin, neomycin, or any other component of the vaccine; persons with a history of primary or
acquired immunodeficiencies; persons on immunosuppressive therapy; pregnant women or
women of childbearing age.
Copyright © 2012 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.
VACC-1026225-0001 02/12 Printed in USA
A reduced immune response to ZOSTAVAX® (Zoster Vaccine Live) was observed in individuals
who received concurrent administration of PNEUMOVAX®23 (Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent)
and ZOSTAVAX compared with individuals who received these vaccines 4 weeks apart. Consider
administration of the two vaccines separated by at least 4 weeks.
Serious vaccine-related adverse reactions that have occurred following vaccination with
ZOSTAVAX include asthma exacerbation and polymyalgia rheumatica. Other serious adverse
events reported following vaccination with ZOSTAVAX include cardiovascular events (congestive
heart failure, pulmonary edema). The rate of serious adverse reactions from Days 0 to 42
postvaccination may be increased. Common adverse reactions occurring in ≥1% of vaccinated
individuals during clinical trials include injection-site reactions (erythema, pain/tenderness,
swelling, hematoma, pruritus, warmth) and headache.
Transmission of vaccine virus may occur between vaccinees and susceptible contacts. Deferral
should be considered in acute illness (for example, in the presence of fever) or in patients with
active untreated tuberculosis.
Before administering ZOSTAVAX, please read the Prescribing Information and Patient
Product Information. For additional copies of the Prescribing Information and Patient Product
Information, call 800-672-6372, visit MerckVaccines.com®, or contact your Merck representative.
Sincerely,
John Kanaras
Global Marketing Leader, ZOSTAVAX
Copyright © 2012 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.
VACC-1026225-0001 02/12 Printed in USA