Merck & Co. announced that its

entire lineup of paediatric vaccines is now available for the first time since 2007, when the drugmaker experienced manufacturing and supply problems, as reported in Morningstar.

Company spokeswoman Pam Eisele said the drugmaker's full paediatric vaccine line is now complete due to restored availability of Comvax, a vaccine which offers protection against meningitis and hepatitis B.

Earlier this year, Merck reintroduced its PedvaxHIB vaccine against meningitis; ProQuad vaccine, which contains vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox; and the paediatric formulation of Recombivax HB, which protects against hepatitis B.

Merck suspended development of the Comvax and PedvaxHIB vaccine due to potential contamination issues, and experienced problems manufacturing the appropriate potency of a bulk ingredient used in its ProQuad and Zostavax vaccines, as reported in the news source.

Supplies of Comvax were further hampered by an upgrade of manufacturing equipment that limited the availability of an ingredient in the vaccine.

In April 2008, the FDA also sent a letter to the drugmaker warning of production issues at one of its vaccine manufacturing facilities.

Despite progress on paediatric vaccine supplies, Merck said production and shipments of adult vaccines continue to fall below normal levels.

For example, due to supply constraints, sales of Zostavax fell 57 percent to $18 million in the second quarter, and the drugmaker said customers may continue to experience order delays possibly into 2011.

Commenting on the news, Deutsche Bank analyst Barbara Ryan said "hopefully to the extent they come back to market with all childhood vaccines, it makes you feel OK they're on track to do same with Zostavax.

" She estimated that these supply issues will reduce Merck's total vaccine sales to $3.1 billion this year, from $3.6 billion last year, but that sales will rebound to $3.4 billion in the following year.