Merck to lay off around 150 employees at US site amid slump in Gardasil sales

Core Viewpoint - Merck is laying off approximately 150 employees at its North Carolina facility due to a significant decline in sales of its HPV vaccine, Gardasil, which has seen a 39% drop in global sales in 2025 [1] Company Actions - The layoffs will take effect in May, as part of Merck's ongoing assessment of its operations and business needs to maintain an effective manufacturing network [1] - Merck's management has indicated that Gardasil is no longer considered a key growth driver for the company [1] Sales Performance - Gardasil's global sales have decreased by 39% in 2025, primarily due to halted shipments to China amid weak demand [1] - The U.S. has recently revised its childhood immunization schedule to recommend a single dose of the HPV vaccine instead of the previously approved two- or three-shot regimen [1] Employment Context - As of December 31, 2025, Merck employed around 30,000 individuals in the U.S., including Puerto Rico [1]