Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline has stopped deliveries of two variants of the chickenpox vaccine for children after some batches produced at its factory in Wavre, Belgium failed to pass quality tests, Reuters reported.
Some batches of two chickenpox vaccines containing Priorix-Tetra, a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, known as MMRV, and Varilrix, have been affected by the quality issue.
"As a pre-cautionary measure, the final release of all varicella-containing vaccine has been put on hold until we complete testing and analysis designed to identify the root cause of the issue," Robert Perry, director of external communications for GSK in the United States told FiercePharma.
GlaxoSmithKline announced on Tuesday that it expects shipments to begin again by the end of March.
"We're committed to resolve this supply disruption situation as soon as possible and are actively involved in keeping regulatory authorities and customers informed as we look to minimize the impact of this temporary supply disruption," a GSK spokesman in London told Reuters.
Perry told FiercePharma that the company should be able to provide an update in February, "based on the lead time required to conduct the different analyses currently taking place."
Germany's federal agency for infectious diseases and its vaccination agency said the vaccines that have already been delivered are safe, Utah People's Post reported.
The supply disruption will most likely affect the vaccine manufacturer's sales in the first quarter, according to Reuters.
Doctors in Germany have been told to distribute a fixed amount of both chickenpox vaccines. They were advised to use MMR vaccines instead of MMRV for initial shots, and delay booster shots, Reuters reported.
