Home / Business and Economy / Merck Cuts Gardasil Jobs Amidst Vaccine Sales Slump
Merck Cuts Gardasil Jobs Amidst Vaccine Sales Slump
28 Feb
Summary
- Merck lays off 150 employees at North Carolina Gardasil facility.
- Global sales of Gardasil vaccine dropped 39% in 2025.
- Company halted vaccine shipments to China due to weak demand.

Merck is implementing layoffs affecting about 150 employees at its North Carolina plant, which produces the Gardasil vaccine against HPV. This move, effective in May, reflects recent challenges for the vaccine. Global sales for Gardasil decreased by 39% in 2025.
Last year, Merck ceased shipments of Gardasil to China because of insufficient demand. This has impacted the vaccine's performance, leading Merck management to state last month that Gardasil is no longer a key growth driver for the company. The vaccine is used to prevent cancers caused by HPV infections.




