Important update for health care professionals re: expiry date of Priorix, our measles, mumps and rubella vaccine

GlaxoSmithKline Australia (GSK), in consultation with the Therapeutic Goods Administration, would like to provide the following information to ensure that there is no confusion in relation to the expiration date of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR), Priorix.

For clarity, the earliest expiry date of the vaccine components (pre-filled syringe containing the diluent and vial containing the antigens) sets the expiry date for the whole product and this expiry date is printed on the outer packaging and also the tear-off portion of the vial label. A number of batches* of Priorix vaccine are currently being distributed in Australia that have a shorter expiry date for the diluent, resulting in two different expiry dates on the vial that could potentially cause confusion. 

These batches will be supplied in ten and single dose packs to the National Immunisation Program and private markets over the next few months only.

Please see the attached letter that is being shared with Australian healthcare professionals that contains a pictogram summary of expiry date coding for clarity.

* Priorix batches affected: A69CE985A, A69CE986A, A69CE987A, A69CE993A, A69CE995A