- Prescribing Advice for GPs - https://www.prescriber.org.uk -

Impact of MMR Shortage

Due to the recent outbreaks of mumps and the ensuing "catch up" campaign in 16-24 year olds, there is a national shortage of the UK licensed MMR Vaccine (both MMR-II and Priorix).

The Department of Health has endeavoured to provide an interim solution to this shortage by procuring extra vaccine supplies from Germany and the USA. Your surgery may already have received a delivery of these imported vaccines.

Several issues have been raised in relation to this situation that can broadly be split into licence issues and administration issues.

Action: Practices should be confident in using the imported vaccines as they are identical to the UK version of the MMR vaccine. When using the vaccine ensure you have appropriate authorisation to administer it before use, in the form of a Patient Specific Direction.