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* Release of Priorix-Tetra, Varilrix put on temporary hold
* Follows quality issue with some batches made in Belgium
* German doctors told to ration both chickenpox vaccines
FRANKFURT/LONDON, Jan 28 (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline has stopped worldwide deliveries of two chickenpox vaccines forchildren after discovering that some batches produced at itsfactory in Wavre, Belgium, were not up to standard.
Britain's biggest drugmaker, which is also one of theworld's leading vaccine manufacturers, said on Tuesday itexpected shipments to begin again at the end of the firstquarter.
The quality issue affects two vaccines containing avaricella (chickenpox) component - Priorix-Tetra, a combinedvaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, known asMMRV, and Varilrix, a single chickenpox shot.
"We're committed to resolve this supply disruption situationas soon as possible and are actively involved in keepingregulatory authorities and customers informed as we look tominimise the impact of this temporary supply disruption," a GSKspokesman in London said.
This will involve re-allocating 2014 supply to minimise thedisruption, he said. Several other companies also producesimilar vaccines and may be able step in to meet short-termshortages.
The setback is likely to have some impact on GSK's vaccinesales in the first quarter, although there may be a catch-up involumes in the three months to June. GSK does not break outrevenues for the two products.
German doctors have already been told by health officials toration the two chickenpox vaccines. Their advice to doctorsincludes using MMR vaccines instead of MMRV for initial shots,and delaying booster shots.
Vaccines that have already been delivered are safe, saidGermany's federal agency for infectious diseases and itsvaccination agency.
Separately, GSK said it also expects a shortage this monthin Germany of Boostrix-Polio, a combined vaccine againstdiphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio, because anunexpected increase in demand amid limited production capacity.GSK said this shortage was a local German issue.
