Merck Lays Off 154 Workers in Durham Due to HPV Vaccine Decline
SOURCENews reportView the filing ↗
What we know
Location: Durham, North Carolina.
Department affected: HPV Vaccine Plant.
Based on news reporting.
Summary
Merck has laid off 154 workers at its Durham facility as a direct consequence of declining usage of its HPV vaccine. The decision reflects broader challenges faced by the company in maintaining its workforce amid changing market demands. The layoffs are part of a strategic adjustment to align resources with current product performance. This move highlights the ongoing impact of vaccine uptake trends on employment within the pharmaceutical sector. The affected employees were notified of their termination in early October 2023.
Merck & Co., Inc. cut 154 jobs in NC affecting its HPV Vaccine Plant team as of February 28, 2026.
That is roughly 0.2% of the 70,000 people Merck & Co., Inc. employs.
LayoffTalk has tracked 34 layoff events at Merck & Co., Inc. since May 2025, including 146 jobs documented in official WARN filings, with 31 additional events known from news reporting.
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