Merck’s HPV Vaccine Sales Increased 31%

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced that Merck & Co., Inc., plans to invest up to $1 billion dollars over the next 3 years to expand its vaccine manufacturing operation in Rockingham County, VA. 

This investment by Merck is to increase the production of its Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, Gardasil and Gardasil 9. 

Merck is expanding its cancer-preventing HPV vaccine production in response to increased consumer demand. 

Gardasil and Gardasil 9 vaccine sales increased 31 percent year-over-year in the 1st quarter of 2019, realizing $838 million in revenue. 

Merck said in a press release this sales increase was ‘primarily due to the ongoing commercial launch in China, higher demand in Europe, as well as the timing of customer purchases in Latin America.’ 

Despite the positive international increase, the HPV vaccine coverage rates in the USA are reported to be ‘far behind other young adult vaccines’, according to new research.   

"In this cohort study containing more than 7.5 million teenagers in the USA, the HPV vaccine coverage among girls increased from 37.8 percent in 2011 to 53.6 percent in 2016," said Szu-Ta Chen, MD, Ph.D., one of the study’s authors.     

Additionally, HPV vaccine coverage among young men increased from 4.8 percent to 45.1 percent by age 15. 

"Despite the increase in uptake, the HPV vaccine coverage varied substantially between states and remains behind the Healthy People 2020 goal of 80 percent."

Recent HPV vaccine news:

• HPV Vaccinations Lead to Reduced CIN2+ Cancer Cases
• Oregon Dentists To Deliver HPV Vaccinations

Gardasil Quadrivalent Vaccine treats HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, while Gardasil 9-Valent Vaccine prevents certain cancers and other diseases caused by 9 types of HPV. 

HPV infections are so common that nearly all men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact.

You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Nearly 80 million Americans are currently infected with some type of HPV. And, about 14 million Americans, including teens, become infected each year. 

“This record investment is a symbol of Merck’s strong commitment to the Shenandoah Valley and will support further economic growth in the region,” said Governor Northam.

The Gardasil 9 vaccine is available at select clinics and pharmacies in the USA. And, vaccine discounts and financial support can be found at Vaccine Discounts.

Relevant Links: CDC vaccination schedules, CDC vaccine price list, international travel alerts, and report vaccine side effects.