M-M-RVAXPRO powder and solvent for suspension for injection in pre-filled syringe

Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (live)

After reconstitution, one dose (0.5 ml) contains:

Measles virus¹ Enders' Edmonston strain (live, attenuated) ……….not less than 1x10³ CCID₅₀*

Mumps virus¹ Jeryl Lynn™ [Level B] strain (live, attenuated)………not less than 12.5x10³ CCID₅₀*

Rubella virus² Wistar RA 27/3 strain (live, attenuated) ………………….not less than 1x10³ CCID₅₀*

*50% cell culture infectious dose

¹ produced in chick embryo cells.

² produced in WI-38 human diploid lung fibroblasts.

The vaccine may contain traces of recombinant human albumin (rHA).

This vaccine contains a trace amount of neomycin. See section 4.3.

Excipients:

The vaccine contains 14.5 mg of sorbitol. See section 4.4.

For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Powder and solvent for suspension for injection in pre-filled syringe.

Before reconstitution, the powder is a light yellow compact crystalline cake and the solvent is a clear colourless fluid.

M-M-RVAXPRO is indicated for simultaneous vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella in individuals from 12 months of age (see section 4.2).

M-M-RVAXPRO can be administered to infants from 9 months of age under special circumstances. (see sections 4.2, 4.4 and 5.1)

For use in measles outbreaks, or for post-exposure vaccination, or, for use in previously unvaccinated individuals older than 9 months who are in contact with susceptible pregnant women, and persons likely to be susceptible to mumps and rubella, see section 5.1.

M-M-RVAXPRO is to be used on the basis of official recommendations.

Posology

Individuals 12 months of age or older:

Individuals 12 months or older should receive one dose at an elected date. A second dose may be administered at least 4 weeks after the first dose in accordance with official recommendation. The second dose is intended for individuals who did not respond to the first dose for any reason.

Infants between 9 and 12 months of age:

Immunogenicity and safety data show that M-M-RVAXPRO can be administered to infants between 9 and 12 months of age, in accordance with official recommendations or when an early protection is considered necessary (e.g., day-care, outbreak situations, or travel to a region with high prevalence of measles). Such infants should be revaccinated at 12 to 15 months. An additional dose with a measles-containing vaccine should be considered according to official recommendations (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).

Infants below 9 months of age:

No data on the efficacy and safety of M-M-RVAXPRO for use in children below 9 months of age are currently available.

Method of administration

The vaccine is to be injected intramuscularly (IM) or subcutaneously (SC).

The preferred injection sites are the anterolateral area of the thigh in younger children and the deltoid area in older children, adolescents, and adults.

The vaccine should be administered subcutaneously in patients with thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder.

For precautions to be taken before handling or administering the medicinal product, and for instructions on reconstitution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 6.6.

DO NOT INJECT INTRAVASCULARLY.

History of hypersensitivity to any measles, mumps, or rubella vaccine, or to any of the excipients, including neomycin (see sections 2, 4.4, and 6.1).

Pregnancy. Furthermore, pregnancy should be avoided for 3 months following vaccination (see section 4.6).

Vaccination should be postponed during any illness with fever >38.5°C.

Active untreated tuberculosis (. Children under treatment for tuberculosis have not experienced exacerbation of the disease when immunized with live measles virus vaccine. No studies have been reported to date on the effect of measles virus vaccines on children with untreated tuberculosis.

Blood dyscrasias, leukaemia, lymphomas of any type, or other malignant neoplasms affecting the haematopoietic and lymphatic systems.

Current immunosuppressive therapy (including high doses of corticosteroids). M-M-RVAXPRO is not contraindicated in individuals who are receiving topical or low-dose parenteral corticosteroids (e.g. for asthma prophylaxis or replacement therapy).

Humoral or cellular (primary or acquired) immunodeficiency, including hypogammaglobulinemia and dysgammaglobulinemia and AIDS, or symptomatic HIV infection or an age-specific CD4+ T-lymphocyte percentage <25% (see section 4.4). In severely immunocompromised individuals inadvertently vaccinated with measles-containing vaccine, measles inclusion body encephalitis, pneumonitis, and fatal outcome as a direct consequence of disseminated measles vaccine virus infection have been reported.

Family history of congenital or hereditary immunodeficiency, unless the immune competence of the potential vaccine recipient is demonstrated.

As with all injectable vaccines, appropriate medical treatment should always be readily available in case of rare anaphylactic reactions following the administration of the vaccine (see section 4.8).

Adults and adolescents with a history of allergies may potentially be at increased risk of anaphylaxis or anaphylactoid reactions. Close monitoring is recommended following vaccination for the early signs of such reactions.

Since live measles vaccine and live mumps vaccine are produced in chick embryo cell culture, persons with a history of anaphylactic, anaphylactoid, or other immediate reactions (e.g., hives, swelling of the mouth and throat, difficulty breathing, hypotension, or shock) subsequent to egg ingestion may be at an enhanced risk of immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions. The potential risk-to-benefit ratio should be carefully evaluated before considering vaccination in such cases.

Due caution should be employed in administration of M-M-RVAXPRO to persons with individual or family history of convulsions, or a history of cerebral injury. The physician should be alert to the temperature elevation that may occur following vaccination (see section 4.8).

Infants from 9 to 12 months of age vaccinated with a measles-containing vaccine during measles outbreaks or for other reasons may fail to respond to the vaccine due to the presence of circulating antibodies of maternal origin and/or immaturity of the immune system (see sections 4.2 and 5.1).

This vaccine contains 14.5 mg of sorbitol as an excipient. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take this vaccine.

Thrombocytopenia

This vaccine should be given subcutaneously to individuals with thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder because bleeding may occur following an intramuscular administration in these individuals.

Individuals with current thrombocytopenia may develop more severe thrombocytopenia following vaccination. In addition, individuals who experienced thrombocytopenia with the first dose of M-M-RVAXPRO (or its component vaccines) may develop thrombocytopenia with repeat doses. Serologic status may be evaluated to determine whether or not additional doses of vaccine are needed. The potential risk-to-benefit ratio should be carefully evaluated before considering vaccination in such cases (see section 4.8).

Other

Individuals who are known to be infected with human immunodeficiency viruses and are not immunocompromised may be vaccinated. However, these vaccinees should be monitored closely for measles, mumps, and rubella because vaccination may be less effective in these patients than in persons not infected with human immunodeficiency viruses (see section 4.3).

Vaccination with M-M-RVAXPRO may not result in protection in all vaccinees.

Transmission

Excretion of small amounts of the live attenuated rubella virus from the nose or throat has occurred in the majority of susceptible individuals 7 to 28 days after vaccination. There is no confirmed evidence to indicate that such virus is transmitted to susceptible persons who are in contact with the vaccinated individuals. Consequently, transmission through close personal contact, while accepted as a theoretical possibility, is not regarded as a significant risk; however, transmission of the rubella vaccine virus to infants via breast milk has been documented without any evidence of clinical disease (see section 4.6).

There are no reports of transmission of the more attenuated Enders' Edmonston strain of measles virus or the Jeryl Lynn™ strain of mumps virus from vaccinees to susceptible contacts.

Interference with laboratory tests: see section 4.5.

Immune glogulin

Immune globulin (IG) is not to be given concomitantly with M-M-RVAXPRO.

Administration of immune globulins concomitantly with M-M-RVAXPRO may interfere with the expected immune response. Vaccination should be deferred for at least 3 months following blood or plasma transfusions, or administration of human immune serum globulin.

Administration of measles, mumps, or rubella antibody-containing blood products, including immune globulin preparations, should be avoided within 1 month after a dose of M-M-RVAXPRO unless considered to be essential.

Laboratory tests

It has been reported that live attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella virus vaccines given individually may result in a temporary depression of tuberculin skin sensitivity. Therefore, if a tuberculin test is to be done, it should be administered either any time before, simultaneously with, or 4 to 6 weeks after vaccination with M-M-RVAXPRO.

Use with other vaccines

Currently no specific studies have been conducted on the concomitant use of M-M-RVAXPRO and other vaccines. However, since M-M-RVAXPRO has been shown to have safety and immunogenicity profiles similar to the previous formulation of the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc., experience with this vaccine can be considered.

Published clinical data support concomitant administration of the previous formulation of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc. with other childhood vaccinations, including DTaP (or DTwP), IPV (or OPV), HIB (Haemophilus influenzae type b), HIB-HBV (Haemophilus influenzae type b with Hepatitis B vaccine), and VAR (varicella). M-M-RVAXPRO should be given concomitantly at separate injection sites, or one month before or after administration of other live virus vaccines.

Based on clinical studies with the quadrivalent measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine and with the previous formulation of the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc., M-M-RVAXPRO can be given simultaneously (but at separate injection sites) with Prevenar and/or hepatitis A vaccine. In these clinical studies, it was demonstrated that the immune responses were unaffected and that the overall safety profiles of the administered vaccines were similar.

Pregnancy

Studies have not been conducted with M-M-RVAXPRO in pregnant women. It is not known whether M-M-RVAXPRO can cause foetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Therefore, the vaccine must not be administered to pregnant females; furthermore, pregnancy should be avoided for 3 months following vaccination (see section 4.3).

In order to advise women who are inadvertently vaccinated when pregnant or who become pregnant within 3 months of vaccination, the physician should be aware of the following:

1. In a 10 year survey involving over 700 pregnant women who received rubella vaccine within 3 months before or after conception (of whom 189 received the Wistar RA 27/3 strain), none of the newborns had abnormalities compatible with congenital rubella syndrome;

2. Mumps infection during the first trimester of pregnancy may increase the rate of spontaneous abortion. Although mumps vaccine virus has been shown to infect the placenta and foetus, there is no evidence that it causes congenital malformations in humans; and

3. Reports have indicated that contracting wild-type measles during pregnancy enhances foetal risk. Increased rates of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, congenital defects, and prematurity have been observed subsequent to wild-type measles during pregnancy. There are no adequate studies of the attenuated (vaccine) strain of measles virus in pregnancy. However, it would be prudent to assume that the vaccine strain of virus is also capable of inducing adverse foetal effects.

Note: Official recommendations may vary regarding the duration of the waiting period that is recommended for avoiding pregnancy following vaccination.

Breast-feeding

Studies have shown that breast-feeding postpartum women vaccinated with live attenuated rubella vaccines may secrete the virus in breast milk and transmit it to breast-fed infants. In the infants with serological evidence of rubella infection, none had symptomatic disease. It is not known whether measles or mumps vaccine virus is secreted in human milk; therefore, caution should be exercised when M-M-RVAXPRO is administered to a breast-feeding woman.

Fertility

M-M-RVAXPRO has not been evaluated in fertility studies.

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. M-M-RVAXPRO is expected to have no or negligible influence on ability to drive and use machines.

a. Summary of the safety profile

In clinical trials, M-M-RVAXPRO was administered to 1965 children (see section 5.1), and the general safety profile was comparable to the previous formulation of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc.

In a clinical trial, 752 children received M-M-RVAXPRO, either intramuscularly or subcutaneously. The general safety profile of either administration routes were comparable, although injection-site reactions were less frequent in the IM group (15.8%) compared with the SC group (25.8%).

All adverse reactions were evaluated in 1940 children. Among these children, the vaccine-related adverse reactions, summarised in section b, were observed in individuals following vaccination with M-M-RVAXPRO (excluding isolated reports with frequency <0.2%).

In comparison to the first dose, a second dose of M-M-RVAXPRO is not associated with an increase in the incidence and severity of clinical symptoms including those suggestive of hypersensitivity reaction.

Additionally, other adverse reactions reported with post-marketing use of M-M-RVAXPRO and/or in clinical studies and post-marketing use of previous formulations of monovalent and of the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc. without regard to causality or frequency are available and are summarised in section b (frequency not known). These data were reported based on more than 400 million doses distributed worldwide.

The most common adverse reactions reported with the use of M-M-RVAXPRO were: fever (38.5°C or higher); injection site reactions including pain, swelling and erythema.

b. Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Adverse reactions are ranked under headings of frequency using the following convention:

[Very common (1/10); common (1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (1/1,000 to 1/100); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)]

^† see section c

c. Description of selected adverse reactions

Aseptic meningitis

Cases of aseptic meningitis have been reported following measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination. Although a causal relationship between other strains of mumps vaccine and aseptic meningitis has been shown, there is no evidence to link Jeryl Lynn™ mumps vaccine to aseptic meningitis.

Encephalitis and Encephalopathy

Encephalitis and encephalopathy, excluding subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), have been reported approximately once for every 3 million doses of the measles-containing vaccines manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc. Post-marketing surveillance of the more than 400 million doses that have been distributed worldwide over nearly 25 years (1978-2003) indicates that serious adverse events such as encephalitis and encephalopathy continue to be rarely reported. In no case has it been shown conclusively that reactions were actually caused by vaccine; however, the data suggest the possibility that some of these cases may have been caused by measles vaccines.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

There is no evidence that measles vaccine can cause SSPE. There have been reports of SSPE in children who did not have a history of infection with wild-type measles but did receive measles vaccine. Some of these cases may have resulted from unrecognized measles in the first year of life or possibly from the measles vaccination. The results of a retrospective case-controlled study conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that the overall effect of measles vaccine has been to protect against SSPE by preventing measles with its inherent risk of SSPE.

Arthralgia and/or arthritis

Arthralgia and/or arthritis (usually transient and rarely chronic), and polyneuritis are features of infection with wild-type rubella and vary in frequency and severity with age and sex, being greatest in adult females and least in prepubertal children. Following vaccination in children, reactions in joints are generally uncommon (0-3%) and of brief duration. In women, incidence rates for arthritis and arthralgia are generally higher than those seen in children (12-20%), and the reactions tend to be more marked and of longer duration. Symptoms may persist for a matter of months or on rare occasions for years. In adolescent girls, the reactions appear to be intermediate in incidence between those seen in children and adult women. Even in older women (35-45 years), these reactions are generally well tolerated and rarely interfere with normal activities.

Chronic arthritis

Chronic arthritis has been associated with wild-type rubella infection and has been related to persistent virus and/or viral antigen isolated from body tissues. Only rarely have vaccine recipients developed chronic joint symptoms.

Administration of a higher than recommended dose of M-M-RVAXPRO was reported rarely and the adverse reaction profile was comparable to that observed with the recommended dose of M-M-RVAXPRO.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Viral vaccine, ATC code J07BD52

Evaluation of immunogenicity and clinical efficacy

A comparative study in 1279 subjects who received M-M-RVAXPRO or the previous formulation (manufactured with human serum albumin) of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc. demonstrated similar immunogenicity and safety between the 2 products.

Clinical studies of 284 triple seronegative children, 11 months to 7 years of age, demonstrated that the previous formulation of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc. is highly immunogenic and generally well tolerated. In these studies, a single injection of the vaccine induced measles hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibodies in 95%, mumps neutralising antibodies in 96%, and rubella HI antibodies in 99% of susceptible persons.

Evaluation of immunogenicity in children from 9 to 12 months of age at the time of first dose

A clinical study was conducted with the quadrivalent measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc., administered with a 2-dose schedule, the doses being given 3 months apart in 1,620 healthy subjects from 9 to 12 months of age at the time of first dose. The safety profile post-dose 1 and 2 was generally comparable for all age cohorts.

In the Full Analysis Set (vaccinated subjects regardless of their antibody titre at baseline), high seroprotection rates of >99% were elicited to mumps and rubella post-dose 2, regardless of the age of the vaccinee at the first dose. After 2 doses, the seroprotection rates against measles were 98.1% when the first dose was given at 11 months compared to 98.9% when the first dose was given at 12 months (non-inferiority study objective met). After two doses, the seroprotection rates against measles were 94.6% when the first dose was given at 9 months compared to 98.9% when the first dose was given at 12 months (non-inferiority study objective not met).

The seroprotection rates to measles, mumps, and rubella for the Full Analysis Set are given in Table 1.

Table 1: Seroprotection Rates to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella 6 Weeks Post-Dose 1 and 6 Weeks Post-Dose 2 of the quadrivalent measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc. – Full Analysis Set

The post-dose 2 geometric mean titres (GMTs) against mumps and rubella were comparable across all age categories, while the GMTs against measles were lower in subjects who received the first dose at 9 months of age as compared to subjects who received the first dose at 11 or 12 months of age.

A comparative study in 752 subjects who received M-M-RVAXPRO either by intramuscular route or subcutaneous route demonstrated a similar immunogenicity profile between both administration routes.

The efficacy of the components of the previous formulation of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc. was established in a series of double-blind controlled field trials, which demonstrated a high degree of protective efficacy afforded by the individual vaccine components. These studies also established that seroconversion in response to vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella paralleled protection from these diseases.

Post-exposure vaccination

Vaccination of individuals exposed to wild-type measles may provide some protection if the vaccine can be administered within 72 hours after exposure. If, however, the vaccine is given a few days before exposure, substantial protection may be afforded. There is no conclusive evidence that vaccination of individuals recently exposed to wild-type mumps or wild-type rubella will provide protection.

Effectiveness

More than 400 million doses of the previous formulation of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc. have been distributed worldwide (1978 to 2003). Widespread use of a 2-dose vaccination schedule in the United States and countries such as Finland and Sweden has led to a >99% reduction in the incidence of each of the 3 targeted diseases.

Non-pregnant adolescent and adult females

Vaccination of susceptible non-pregnant adolescent and adult females of childbearing age with live attenuated rubella virus vaccine is indicated if certain precautions are observed (see sections 4.4 and 4.6). Vaccinating susceptible postpubertal females confers individual protection against subsequently acquiring rubella infection during pregnancy, which, in turn, prevents infection of the foetus and consequent congenital rubella injury.

Previously unvaccinated individuals older than 9 months who are in contact with susceptible pregnant women should receive live attenuated rubella-containing vaccine (such as M-M-RVAXPRO or a monovalent rubella vaccine) to reduce the risk of exposure of the pregnant woman.

Individuals likely to be susceptible to mumps and rubella

M-M-RVAXPRO is preferred for vaccination of persons likely to be susceptible to mumps and rubella. Individuals who require vaccination against measles can receive M-M-RVAXPRO regardless of their immune status to mumps or rubella if a monovalent measles vaccine is not readily available.

Not applicable.

Non-clinical studies have not been conducted.

Powder

Sorbitol

Sodium phosphate

Potassium phosphate

Sucrose

Hydrolysed gelatin

Medium 199 with Hanks' salts

Minimum Essential Medium, Eagle (MEM)

Monosodium L-glutamate

Neomycin

Phenol red

Sodium bicarbonate

Hydrochloric acid (to adjust pH)

Sodium hydroxide (to adjust pH)

Solvent

Water for injections

In the absence of compatibility studies, the vaccine must not be mixed with other medicinal products.

2 years.

After reconstitution, the vaccine should be used immediately; however, in-use stability has been demonstrated for 8 hours when refrigerated at 2°C-8°C.

Store and transport refrigerated (2°C – 8°C).

Do not freeze.

Keep the vial of powder in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

For storage conditions of the reconstituted medicinal product, see section 6.3

Powder in a vial (glass) with a stopper (butyl rubber) and solvent in a pre-filled syringe (glass) with attached needle with plunger stopper (chlorobutyl rubber) and needle-shield (natural rubber) in a pack size of 1 and 10.

Powder in a vial (glass) with a stopper (butyl rubber) and solvent in a pre-filled syringe (glass) with plunger stopper (chlorobutyl rubber) and tip cap (styrene-butadiene rubber), without needle, in pack size 1, 10, and 20.

Powder in a vial (glass) with a stopper (butyl rubber) and solvent in a pre-filled syringe (glass) with plunger stopper (chlorobutyl rubber) and tip cap (styrene-butadiene rubber), with one or two unattached needles, in pack size 1, 10 and 20.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

To reconstitute, use the solvent supplied. The solvent is a clear colourless liquid. Before mixing with the solvent, the powder is a light yellow compact crystalline cake. When completely reconstituted, the vaccine is a clear yellow liquid.

It is important to use a separate sterile syringe and needle for each patient to prevent transmission of infectious agents from one individual to another.

Reconstitution instructions

Inject the entire content of the syringe into the vial containing the powder. Gently agitate to mix thoroughly.

The reconstituted vaccine must not be used if any particulate matter is noted or if the appearance of the solvent or powder or of the reconstituted vaccine differs from that described above.

Withdraw the entire content of the reconstituted vaccine vial into the same syringe and inject the entire volume.

If two needles are provided: use one needle to reconstitute the vaccine and the other for its administration to the person to be vaccinated.

Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

SANOFI PASTEUR MSD SNC

8, rue Jonas Salk

F-69007 Lyon

France

EU/1/06/337/003

EU/1/06/337/004

EU/1/06/337/005

EU/1/06/337/006

EU/1/06/337/007

EU/1/06/337/008

EU/1/06/337/009

EU/1/06/337/010

EU/1/06/337/011

EU/1/06/337/012

EU/1/06/337/013

05/05/2006

05/2011

Detailed information on this product is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu.