HL Deb 10 February 2005 vol 669 cc139-40WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Rubini strain of mumps vaccine and the Edmonston-Zagreb, Enders or Schwarz strains of measles vaccines were ever incorporated into measles, mumps and rubella vaccines administered to children in the United Kingdom; if so, during what period; and whether any of these strains are in current use. [HL1156]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner)

Four measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) products have been marketed and administered to children in the United Kingdom. MMR-II, and Pluserix and Immravax were introduced in 1988. Pluserix and Immravax were withdrawn in September 1992 due to reactions associated with the Urabe mumps component. Priorix was introduced in 1998.

The rubini strain of mumps has never been used in any of the MMR vaccines used in the UK. The measles strains used in all MMR (and measles) vaccines are derived from the Edmonston strain (sometimes referred to as the Enders Edmonston strain) This strain has then been further attenuated and modified into a number of different strains (refer to p397 of Vaccines, 4th Edition, Editors Plotkin & Orenstein). Edmonston-Zagreb has not been used in any of the MMR vaccines used in the UK. The measles strains used in the two currently licensed vaccines are Schwarz (Priorix) and Moraten (MMR-II).