Frequently Asked Questions about ProQuad

Indications

ProQuad is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella in children 12 months through 12 years of age.

A single dose of ProQuad is approximately 0.5 mL. It can be administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly.

The first dose is administered at 12 to 15 months of age but may be given anytime through 12 years of age.

The second dose is administered at 4 to 6 years of age. At least 1 month should elapse between a dose of a measles-containing vaccine and a dose of ProQuad. At least 3 months should elapse between a dose of varicella-containing vaccine and ProQuad.

Selected Safety Information

Hypersensitivity: ProQuad, M-M-R^®_II, and VARIVAX are contraindicated in patients with a history of anaphylactic reaction or hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine (including gelatin or neomycin) or to a prior dose of measles, mumps, rubella, or varicella-containing vaccine. Use caution when administering ProQuad and M-M-R^®_II to individuals with anaphylaxis or immediate hypersensitivity to eggs.
ProQuad, M-M-R^®_II, and VARIVAX are contraindicated in certain individuals, including those with: immunodeficiency or who are immunosuppressed; an active febrile illness; untreated tuberculosis.
Pregnancy: ProQuad, M-M-R^®_II, and VARIVAX are contraindicated for use in pregnant women. Do not administer ProQuad or VARIVAX to individuals who are planning to become pregnant in the next 3 months. Do not administer M-M-R^®_II to individuals who are planning to become pregnant in the next month.
Febrile Seizures: Administration of ProQuad (dose 1) to children 12 to 23 months old who have not been previously vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, or varicella, nor had a history of the wild-type infections, is associated with higher rates of fever and febrile seizures at 5 to 12 days after vaccination when compared to children vaccinated with a first dose of both M-M-R^®_II and VARIVAX administered concomitantly.
Febrile Seizures: Use caution when administering ProQuad and M-M-R^®_II to individuals with a history of febrile seizures.
Family History of Immunodeficiency: Vaccination with ProQuad, M-M-R^®_II, and VARIVAX should be deferred in individuals with a family history of congenital or hereditary immunodeficiency until the individual’s immune status has been evaluated and the individual has been found to be immunocompetent.
Thrombocytopenia: Transient thrombocytopenia has been reported within 4-6 weeks following vaccination with measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Carefully evaluate the potential risk and benefit of vaccination in children with thrombocytopenia or in those who experienced thrombocytopenia after vaccination with a previous dose of a measles, mumps, and rubella-containing vaccine.
Varicella Transmission and Precautions: Advise vaccinees administered ProQuad or VARIVAX to avoid: close contact with high-risk individuals susceptible to varicella for up to 6 weeks following vaccination since transmission of varicella vaccine virus to susceptible contacts has been reported. Varicella vaccine virus transmission may occur between vaccine recipients and contacts susceptible to varicella including healthy individuals.
Immune Globulins and Transfusions: Immune Globulins and other blood products should not be given concomitantly with ProQuad, M-M-R^®_II, or VARIVAX.
Use of Salicylates: Avoid use of salicylates in children and adolescents administered ProQuad or VARIVAX for 6 weeks following vaccination due to the association of Reye Syndrome with salicylate therapy and wild-type varicella infection.
Adverse Events: The following adverse events have been reported for both subcutaneous and intramuscular injections of ProQuad, M-M-R^®_II, and VARIVAX: fever, injection-site reactions (pain/tenderness/soreness, erythema, and swelling); and rash on the body or at the injection site. Additionally, irritability has been reported for the subcutaneous injections of ProQuad, M-M-R^®_II, and VARIVAX.
ProQuad Systemic Vaccine-Related Adverse Events: Systemic vaccine-related adverse events that were reported at a significantly greater rate in recipients of subcutaneous ProQuad than in recipients of the component vaccines administered concomitantly were fever and measles-like rash.
VARIVAX Dose-related Adverse Events: In a clinical trial involving children who received 2 doses of VARIVAX 3 months apart, the incidence of injection-site clinical complaints observed in the first 4 days following vaccination was slightly higher post-dose 2 (overall incidence 25.4%) than post-dose 1 (overall incidence 21.7%), whereas the incidence of systemic clinical complaints in the 42-day follow-up period was lower post-dose 2 (66.3%) than post-dose 1 (85.8%).
Concomitant Vaccines With ProQuad: ProQuad may be administered concomitantly with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed (DTaP), Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate (meningococcal protein conjugate) and hepatitis B (recombinant) vaccine. It may also be administered concomitantly with pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine and/or hepatitis A vaccine (inactivated) at separate injection sites.
Concomitant Vaccines With VARIVAX: VARIVAX can be administered with other live viral vaccines. If not given concurrently, at least 1 month should elapse between a dose of a live attenuated measles virus-containing vaccine and a dose of VARIVAX. In children, at least 3 months should elapse between administration of 2 doses of a live attenuated varicella virus-containing vaccine.
Tuberculin Testing: If a tuberculin test is to be done with M-M-R^®_II and ProQuad, it should be administered either any time before, simultaneously with, or at least 4 to 6 weeks after vaccination. With VARIVAX, tuberculin testing may be performed before the vaccine is administered or at least 4 weeks following vaccination.
Additional M-M-R^®_II Precautions: Additional adverse reactions, which have been reported without regard to causality, include febrile convulsions, arthritis, thrombocytopenia, anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid reactions, arthritis, encephalitis and encephalopathy in their diverse clinical presentations.
Additional VARIVAX Precautions: It is not known if varicella vaccine virus is excreted in human milk. A boost in antibody levels has been observed in vaccinees following exposure to wild-type varicella, which could account for the apparent long-term persistence of antibody levels in studies. The duration of protection from varicella infection after vaccination is unknown.
ProQuad/VARIVAX and Herpes Zoster: The long-term effect of VARIVAX on the incidence of herpes zoster, particularly in those vaccinees exposed to wild-type varicella, is unknown at present.
Efficacy: Vaccination with ProQuad, VARIVAX, or M-M-R^®_II may not result in protection in 100% of vaccinees.

Dosage and Administration

ProQuad:

Each dose of ProQuad is approximately 0.5 mL and is administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously.
At least 1 month should elapse between a dose of a measles-containing vaccine such as M-M-R^®_II and a dose of ProQuad. At least 3 months should elapse between a dose of varicella-containing vaccine and ProQuad.

VARIVAX:

Each dose is approximately 0.5 mL and is administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously.
The first dose is administered at 12 to 15 months of age.
The second dose is administered at 4 to 6 years of age.
There should be a minimum interval of 3 months between doses.
12 months to 12 years of age: If a second dose is administered, there should be a minimum interval of 3 months between doses.
Adolescents (≥13 years of age) and Adults: 2 doses, to be administered with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses.

M-M-R^®_II:

The dose for any age is approximately 0.5 mL administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously.
The recommended age for primary vaccination is 12 to 15 months and the second dose should be given at 4 to 6 years of age.

Before administering VARIVAX^® (Varicella Virus Vaccine Live), M-M-R^®_II (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Virus Vaccine Live), or ProQuad^® (Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella Virus Vaccine Live), please read the Prescribing Information. The Patient Information also is available for VARIVAX, M-M-R^®_II, and ProQuad.

A single dose of ProQuad is approximately 0.5 mL. It can be administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly.

The first dose is usually administered at 12 to 15 months of age but may be given anytime through 12 years of age.

If a second dose of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine is needed, ProQuad may be used. This dose is usually administered at 4 to 6 years of age. At least 1 month should elapse between a dose of a measles-containing vaccine, such as M-M-R^®_II (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Virus Vaccine Live), and a dose of ProQuad. At least 3 months should elapse between a dose of varicella-containing vaccine and ProQuad.

The CPT Code for ProQuad is 90710.

Storage Temperature Range

To maintain potency, ProQuad must be stored frozen between -58°F and +5°F (-50°C to -15°C). Use of dry ice may subject ProQuad to temperatures colder than -58°F (-50°C).

Before reconstitution, store the lyophilized vaccine in a freezer at a temperature between −58°F and +5°F (−50°C and −15°C) for up to 18 months. Any freezer (eg, chest, frost-free) that reliably maintains an average temperature between −58°F and +5°F (−50°C and −15°C) and has a separate sealed freezer door is acceptable for storing ProQuad. Routine defrost cycling of a frost-free freezer is acceptable.

Temperature Range Prior to Reconstitution

ProQuad may be stored at refrigerator temperature (36° to 46°F, 2° to 8°C) for up to 72 hours prior to reconstitution. Discard any ProQuad vaccine stored at 36° to 46°F which is not used within 72 hours of removal from 5°F (-15°C) storage.

Light Exposure

Protect the vaccine from light at all times since such exposure may inactivate the vaccine viruses.

Guidelines for Reconstituted Vaccine

IF NOT USED IMMEDIATELY, THE RECONSTITUTED VACCINE MAY BE STORED AT ROOM TEMPERATURE, PROTECTED FROM LIGHT, FOR UP TO 30 MINUTES.
DISCARD RECONSTITUTED VACCINE IF IT IS NOT USED WITHIN 30 MINUTES.
DO NOT FREEZE RECONSTITUTED VACCINE.

Diluent Storage Temperature

Diluent should be stored separately at room temperature (68° to 77°F, 20° to 25°C), or in a refrigerator (36° to 46°F, 2° to 8°C).

For information regarding the product or questions regarding storage conditions, call 1-800-MERCK-90.

For more information on vaccine storage and handling, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/storage/toolkit/storage-handling-toolkit.pdf to review the guidelines and help ensure your practice’s compliance.

The first dose is administered at 12 to 15 months of age but may be given anytime through 12 years of age.

The second dose is administered at 4 to 6 years of age. At least 1 month should elapse between a dose of a measles-containing vaccine and a dose of ProQuad. At least 3 months should elapse between a dose of varicella-containing vaccine and ProQuad.

ProQuad is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella in children 12 months through 12 years of age.

For the first (or initial) vaccination against MMRV at 12-47 months of age, the CDC recommends separate doses of MMR and varicella vaccines, unless the parent or caregiver expresses a preference for a combination MMRV vaccine.

For the second dose of an MMRV vaccine, the CDC generally prefers a combination vaccine MMRV over separate injections of its equivalent component vaccines (ie, MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine).

The CDC Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for ages 18 years or younger specifies routine vaccination for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccination is a 2-dose series at 12–15 months, and 4–6 years. Dose 2 may be administered as early as 4 weeks after dose 1 of a measles-containing vaccine and 3 months after a varicella-containing vaccine. For the second dose at 4-6 years, the CDC recommends the use of a combination MMRV for appropriate patients.

The CDC Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for ages 18 years or younger specifies catch-up vaccination for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella is for unvaccinated children and adolescents to receive a 2-dose series.

ProQuad should be given at least 1 month after a dose of measles-containing vaccine and at least 3 months after a dose of varicella-containing vaccine.

The maximum age for use of MMRV is 12 years.

A MMR vaccine is a vaccine that helps prevent measles, mumps and rubella in ages 12 months and older.

MMRV vaccine is a vaccine that helps prevent measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox). ProQuad is the only MMRV vaccine currently approved in ages 12 months through 12 years.

Yes, in most states, ProQuad is available through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program for children who qualify. Check with your state or local VFC Program to learn more about the specific products available to your practice.

ProQuad can be ordered via ordering.merckvaccines.com, by calling into the Merck Vaccines Customer Care line 877.VAX.MERCK (877.829.6372), or through your preferred wholesaler/distributor. For a list of Merck authorized distributors please go to Authorized distributors – Merck.com.