The report points out that
vaccination rates in sub-Saharan Africa fell dramatically in the
1990's while many areas of the world saw vaccination rates increase
substantially(3).

About Merck

Merck + Co., Inc.

Mallika Chopra Rodale Pier 1 Imports American Express BD AOL and Celine Dion Support UNICEF This Mother's Day

About iVillage Inc.

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Kotloff, M.

MVN-A: A Part of Merck's Commitment to the Developing World

MVN-A is an important part of Merck's commitment to improving
access to medicines and vaccines in the developing world through
donation programs , disease education, training and services
initiatives, and public-private partnerships. 113

(2) World Health Organization.S. For
more information, please visit http://www. The survey revealed that 94 percent of moms enjoyed being home
with their baby and only 13 percent reported that they missed going to work on
a daily basis.

neat biting

Prevalence of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases is Highest in Africa

Africa bears the highest per capita burden of vaccine-preventable
diseases and has the highest concentration of nations in the world
eligible for funding from the Global Alliance for Vaccines +
Immunizations (GAVI)(1), a public-private partnership dedicated to
increasing children 's access to vaccines in poor countries.com/celine/ or call 1-877-4-CELINE.20 for each $50 or more gift card sold in U.20, is the cost of a life-saving vaccine to immunize a mother and her
newborns against tetanus.org/amex, American Express
will match a percentage (. However, few moms completed some equally important tasks
before taking maternity leave such as researching child care options and
immunization schedules (51 and 36 percent respectively), thus taking away
precious time that could have been spent bonding with their baby. Sixty-one percent of moms said they rely on
their pediatrician's advice to help quiet fears about the well-being of their
child, second only to that from family members (69 percent). Moms who had
taken their baby for well-baby visits at the pediatrician said they were
extremely satisfied with their relationship with their child's physician (60
percent) and felt comfortable asking questions (64 percent).

cookin cutty

Sc. Through MVN-A, a network of
vaccination training centers are being established as a way of
creating a sustainable source of skilled healthcare workers across
Africa.
"It is my hope that an immunization management training program
focused on the needs of Mali will lead to more and better-trained
healthcare workers, and ultimately result in a decrease in vaccine
preventable disease," said Karen L.

The forward-looking statements include statements regarding
product development, product potential or financial performance. Fund for UNICEF for 20 years, will
donate $1.2%) of the contribution.

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is a global research-driven pharmaceutical
company dedicated to putting patients first. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may
cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the
statements. No
forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may
differ materially from those projected. x

(4) World Health Organization. Maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) is a
preventable disease, which takes the lives of 30,000 women and 180,000
newborns every year.unicefusa. "Since vaccinations can be a source of stress, new
moms should ask their pediatricians about options to lower the number of shots
their babies receive."

The Maternity Leave Experience
Most moms surveyed reported an overall positive maternity leave
experience.

intelihealth bedwetting

Ms. AOL has
generously supported UNICEF by sponsoring Dion's concert with a gift of
$25,000. and American Express, each time a donor uses their American Express(R)
Card to make an online gift at http://www. Combination vaccines can reduce the number of shots
without compromising protection against serious childhood diseases.

bedwetting perinatology

MVN-A Centers Aim to Improve Immunization Infrastructure

MVN-A Mali is the latest component of an established collaborative
relationship between the Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) at the
University of Maryland School of Medicine, and the Center pour le
Developpement du Vaccins, Mali. Table 3:
Health, pg.
Rodale Inc. Dion
is performing a Mother's Day concert for Tsunami Relief with the theme of "A
New Day. UNICEF is non-partisan and its
cooperation is free of discrimination . In everything it does, the most
disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority . The biggest issues that moms returning to work seemed
to experience were missing their baby while away (91 percent) and feeling
guilty about leaving the baby (67 percent).

preventable pediatrics

Fifty
percent of children in sub-Saharan Africa do not receive basic
vaccinations during their first year of life, according to the World
Health Organization (WHO), The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
and the World Bank in a 2003 study(2).merck. The U.
Each year, nearly 11 million children do not live to see their fifth
birthday, and more than 2 million children die needlessly from illnesses that
could have been avoided through immunizations.S.

ABOUT UNICEF
Founded in 1946, UNICEF helps save, protect and improve the lives of
children around the world through immunization, education , health care,
nutrition, clean water and sanitation.

The
survey showed that many receive help from their spouse or significant other
(77 percent), their own mother (61 percent), other family members (37 percent)
and their spouse's or significant other's mother (30 percent).

iVillage is "the Internet for women" and consists of several online and
offline media-based properties that seek to enrich the lives of women, teenage
girls and parents through the offering of unique content, community
applications, tools and interactive features. Also, according to the
same report, The iVillage Network was the number one "women's community site"
and the number four "community site" overall on the Web.

perinatology pediatricians

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) has generously offered to match
donations up to a total of $500,000, giving the U.S.unicefusa.
"Expectant mothers have so many tasks to complete prior to baby's arrival
that it's understandable they'd focus on the ones that are fun to think about,
like shopping and decorating the nursery," said Kellie Gould , iVillage Editor-
in-Chief and new mom.

psychosocial measles

, M. For more information, visit
www. Forward-looking
statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the
many uncertainties that affect Merck 's business, particularly those
mentioned in the cautionary statements in Item 1 of Merck's Form 10 -K
for the year ended Dec. 2003, pg. 2003, pg. HIV/AIDS has orphaned
15 million children, yet only a fraction of them receive appropriate services
and care.

Celebrate Mother's Day on May 8 with Celine Dion, live in Las Vegas.com between April 14 and Mother's Day, May 8.unicefusa. The
survey showed that many moms who have taken their baby for well-baby visits
feel completely or somewhat helpless (59 percent), anxious (64 percent) and
guilty (53 percent) because their babies receive so many shots and 43 percent
of new moms said that they would like to reduce the number of shots that their
child received.

overly ekgs

Merck undertakes no obligation
to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result
of new information, future events, or otherwise. Chopra's inspiring stories and essays are
compelling and human, and whether awaiting a baby, or already a parent, there
is something in this book for everyone. Chopra is generously donating 10%
of her net proceeds to benefit UNICEF's programs for children orphaned by
AIDS.aeglive. iVillage Inc.

givers sickkid

The efforts in Kenya
build on the ongoing research collaboration between the Indiana
University School of Medicine and Moi University Faculty of Health
Sciences in Eldoret, Kenya.S.org or call 1-800-4UNICEF.
"Keeping a new infant happy and healthy can feel overwhelming at times, so
for the baby's sake as well as their own, all new moms should do everything
they can to lower their own stress levels," said Kathy Peel, woman and family
issues expert and author.

kidshealth immunizations

, coordinator of the Center for Vaccine
Development-Mali, and co-investigator of the program. UNICEF provides lifesaving immunizations , education, health care,
nutrition, clean water and sanitation to millions of children in 158 countries
and territories, to ensure that all children have a healthy childhood and that
they survive and thrive to adulthood.rodale. In the first two
years of a baby's life, nearly every well visit includes vaccinations. (Nasdaq: IVIL)
was established in 1995 and is headquartered in New York City.

About the Survey
Data was collected online between April 4 and April 11, 2005, with a
nationally representative sample of 1,366 new and expectant mothers.

immunizations sickkid

The MVN-A Center, which is supported by a grant from The Merck
Company Foundation, is designed to contribute to improving the
immunization infrastructure in Mali and West Africa. Established in 1891,
Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and
medicines in over 20 therapeutic categories. ix

(3) World Health Organization.

This Mother's Day, throughout the month of May, American Express is
encouraging its millions of Cardmembers to contribute to UNICEF's lifesaving
immunization campaign to protect mothers and their babies from preventable
diseases. I encourage all expectant moms to visit iVillage .

nemours kidshealth

Over the past year, the Mali team, working closely with the Mali
Ministry of Health, WHO and health care facilities across the country,
assembled a staff; conducted a comprehensive assessment of local
immunization management needs; identified, recruited and enrolled
trainees; and developed a training curriculum. ACHAP is a partnership with the
Government of Botswana, the Bill + Melinda Gates Foundation, Merck and
The Merck Company Foundation. Pier 1 stores and at
pier1.
The survey also explored moms' experiences with returning to the workforce
after maternity leave.

distressing pediatrician

Merck Vaccine Network-Africa Center in Mali Hosts First Immunization Training Program

"Although there is no single solution to the health challenges
facing the continent, the training center is one model that, in
combination with other local and global initiatives, will help more
children get life -saving vaccines in the regions where there remains a
shortage of basic health care," said Adel Mahmoud , M.,
president, Merck Vaccines. Lack of infrastructure, including the need for
skilled health professionals, has been identified by GAVI as a major
reason for low vaccination rates in Africa (4).com

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking statements " as that
term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995.

(1) UNICEF . 2003 Revised State of the World's
Vaccines and Immunizations Report. 2003, pg. Giving has never been easier.

Many Ways to Support UNICEF this Mother's Day

Mallika Chopra's timely book, 100 Promises to My Baby, celebrates the
timeless and loving commitment that parents make to their children. All
parents take pride in their children's accomplishments ., publisher of Chopra's book, will donate an additional $1 for
each 100 Promises to My Baby book purchased on the Rodale Web site,
http://www. Between April 21 and
July 15, funds donated on-line at http: //www.com and its affiliate Web sites
("The iVillage Network") totaled nearly 443 million for the quarter ended
March 31, 2005.

sickkid kidsource

D. Merck also publishes unbiased health
information as a not-for -profit service. The State of the World's Children 2004 Report. 2003 Revised State of the World's
Vaccines and Immunizations Report. whether it's their
first smiles, words or steps. For sponsorship
information, please call the Benefit Office at 310-575-0122. In March 2005, according to comScore Media Metrix, The
iVillage Network ranked 30th among the top 100 Web and Digital Media
properties with approximately 17.

pediatrician pediatrics

During the week-long program held at the Center pour
le Developpement du Vaccins , Mali (Center for Vaccine Development,
Mali), immunization managers participated in training sessions on how
to store and handle vaccines safely, provide vaccination services, and
conduct immunization surveillance and disease monitoring activities. 31, 2003, and in its periodic reports on Form
10 -Q and Form 8-K, which Merck incorporates by reference. Fund for UNICEF and its Partners Honor All Mothers By Making
Gift-Giving a Gift of Life

NEW YORK, On Mother's Day, loved ones can honor
their mothers by helping vulnerable children and mothers throughout the world.com, to the U. Through an exclusive partnership between software provider Kintera
Inc.3 million unique visitors in the United
States and had an average reach of more than 10.

biting illnesses

D. Funds raised will support UNICEF's efforts
to build a better world for women and children by providing mothers with
proper immunizations and nutrition and ensuring their children have a healthy
start in life..

Many moms-to-be overlook tasks that could save them time and worry while on
leave

NEW YORK, A new survey of working mothers
and mothers-to-be released today by iVillage, revealed that 73 percent of moms
view making the most of their time away from work to bond with their new baby
as their top concern for maternity leave.
Average monthly page views for iVillage.

ekgs illnesses

, Ph. The curriculum is based
on educational materials developed by the WHO and partners of GAVI,
and addresses the needs identified in the Mali assessment.." Proceeds of tickets sales will go to fund recovery and
reconstruction efforts in the tsunami affected region. Results from the survey also suggest
that moms may be able to spend more time with their baby if they were aware of
some commonly overlooked tasks that could be done before baby arrives. Most
moms are already doing a lot of the "fun" activities to prepare for baby's
arrival, including purchasing baby products (90 percent) and decorating the
nursery (68 percent). "We've made it easier for moms-to -be to accomplish some
of the other important tasks prior to giving birth so that they can focus on
their number one priority while on maternity leave -- bonding with their
newborn."
The survey also confirmed that pediatricians play an important role for
new moms during maternity leave . In terms of moms' transition back
to work, 42 percent said it was extremely or very easy and 75 percent felt
that their colleagues were very supportive of their new role as a mother.

biting nemours

Business Editors

BAMAKO, Mali----Today, 15
immunization managers completed the first vaccination management
skills training program of the Merck Vaccine Network - Africa (MVN-A)
Center in Mali. The first class
included experienced immunization program managers from the national
and regional level who attended to gain new insights into the
management and delivery of vaccines., Professor of
Pediatrics and Medicine at the University of Maryland School of
Medicine and co-investigator of the program . 6 + 7; "New Products
into Old Systems: Initial Impact of GAVI in Countries," Report by
the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: Summary of
Presentation and Discussion , From 7th GAVI Board Meeting Stockholm
Mar 11 2002. To purchase tickets to
Dion's show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, please visit
http://info.

Pier 1 Imports, a partner of the U. This dollar amount,
$1.

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In addition to the
center in Mali, the Kenya MVN-A training center has conducted two
training courses since opening in July, 2004. The company also devotes
extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching
programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to
the people who need them.S. Fund for UNICEF the
opportunity to provide $1 million to help eliminate MNT.org to support MNT will
be matched by BD, helping to protect mothers and their babies.com/moms for
invaluable tips and information on how to make the most of their maternity
leave.

illnesses kidsource

This year, celebrating Mother's Day can
lead to the advancement of women's and children's lives for years to come.

New Survey Reveals Steps Working Moms Could Take to Maximize Their Maternity Leave Time

5% of the total online
population and nearly 14 percent of women 18+ online.

Welcome to Health/Child Health/Information and Advice! Here you will find a wealth of information from sites that offer parents and care givers the resources needed to care for healthy children.

overly pediatricians

"The immunization program managers who participated in the
training sharpened their skills in ways that could enhance Mali's
ability to increase immunization coverage across our country ," said
Samba Ousmane Sow, M.
Other Merck initiatives addressing health issues in Africa include
the 18-year old Merck Mectizan(R) Donation Program, the UN/Industry
Accelerating Access Initiative and the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS
Partnership (ACHAP) in Botswana.

kidshealth pediatricians

D. 2003 Revised State of the World's
Vaccines and Immunizations Report.
Whether participating in Mother's Day events, buying gifts from companies that
support UNICEF, or simply making a donation - there are a variety of ways to
support UNICEF this Mother's Day. Fund for UNICEF's Mother's Day Campaign, up
to $5,000 (from April 19th through October 19th). New moms today who take maternity leave also have a good deal
of support during their first few weeks at home with their new babies.
The survey was funded through support from GlaxoSmithKline.