DURHAM, N.C.
(AP) — Merck will add 150 workers in Durham
as it expands to produce chickenpox and other live-virus vaccines.

The Herald-Sun of Durham
reported today that Merck & Co.’s plant will begin making Varivax, a
chickenpox vaccine recently approved by the federal Food and Drug
Administration.

Plant manager John Wagner said the number of workers at the
site should reach 600 by the end of 2011.

Merck is expanding the plant from 200,000 square feet to
270,000 square feet.

The company also has plans to add vaccines for measles,
mumps and rubella to its products.