Vaccine Dates

To: Health Care Professionals in Niagara
From: Clinical Services Division, Niagara Region Public Health
Reference: Vaccine Dates
Date: February 5, 2026

This memo contains updates on the following:

Meningococcal vaccines
A new Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) product
Immunization record systems in Ontario
New vaccine delivery schedule and revised vaccine order deadline
Potential vaccine stock issues

Staff responsible for ordering vaccine should read about the new vaccine delivery schedule, revised deadline to submit vaccine orders, potential vaccine stock issues and the information in the “Office Staff Action” subheading.

Meningococcal vaccines

Men-C-ACYW-135 is a grade 7 program vaccine, an Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) required vaccine, as well as a high-risk vaccine.

MenQuadfi® is replacing Menactra®

The Menactra® supply is expected to be depleted in the coming weeks
MenQuadfi® is replacing Menactra® as the Men-C-ACYW-135 product
MenQuadfi® is indicated for individuals 12 months of age and older. Packaging: 1.77” x 2.28” x 1.25”
Use Menactra® or MenQuadfi® (when available) as equivalent products

Nimenrix®

The province is currently stocked out of Nimenrix® and working to secure additional supply
Whatever supply remains will be dedicated for high-risk infants from 9 to 12 months of age as part of high-risk programming

New MMR Product

A new MMR product labelled in the United Kingdom (UK) will be distributed.

M-M-RVaxPro®:

Comes in a single-dose format; preservative-free
Pre-filled syringe with diluent and vial of antigen to be reconstituted
Packaging:
- In English only (no French)
- 47mm x 28mm x 149mm
Product expiry June 2027
Use MMR II® and M-M-RVaxPro® (when available) as equivalent products

Upcoming Changes to Immunization Record Systems in Ontario

The current provincial immunization record systems, COVaxON and Panorama, are being consolidated into one system, Panorama. The use of the COVaxON system played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to provide record and inventory management for COVID-19 vaccines with the ongoing vaccination program post-pandemic. To streamline provincial systems, COVaxON will be decommissioned in March 2026.

Panorama has been used in Ontario since 2013. Public Health uses it to manage vaccine inventory and recording immunizations specified in the ISPA and other immunizations such as grade 7. It also is the system used for immunization records in several other provinces and territories.

All COVID-19 vaccine providers will be able to use a new Panorama Guided Workflow (PGW); this will provide a simplified access point and workflow for COVID-19 inventory management and administration reporting.

Impact to health care provider COVID-19 vaccine reporting:

From now until March 13, 2026 4:59:59 p.m., all COVID-19 vaccine providers are expected to continue to record patient and vaccine product information for COVID-19 vaccine in COVaxON
Effective March 13, 2026 at 5 p.m., COVaxON will be decommissioned
- Any doses administered on March 13 or later must be documented per professional standards of practice by the administering professional
April 2026 (specific date to be confirmed) a new Panorama Guided Workflow (PGW) will be launched to manage COVID-19 vaccine inventory and reporting of administration
- Any doses administered during the transition period will need to be recorded

Impact to patient COVID-19 records and vaccine certificates:

Enhanced vaccine certificates with QR code and proof of vaccination emails will temporarily be unavailable
The Ontario Ministry of Health will securely transfer patient data from COVaxON to PGW
- To support clinic service delivery, migration will begin with patients who received a COVID-19 vaccine within the prior six months
When the data migration is complete (approximately summer 2026), patients will be able to access and print their immunization record through Immunization Connect (ICON) that will include any COVID-19 vaccine received

Physicians' offices and Long-term Care and Retirement Homes that have ordered COVID-19 vaccine from Public Health will be contacted with information about the supports that will be available ahead of the decommission.

New Vaccine Delivery Schedule and Revised Vaccine Order Deadline

Make careful note of the revised delivery dates starting March 2, 2026:

St. Catharines A*: first and third Tuesday of each month
St. Catharines B*: first and third Wednesday of each month
Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake A*: second and fourth Monday of each month
Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake B*: second and fourth Tuesday of each month
Welland and Pelham (Fenwick, Fonthill): second and fourth Thursday of each month
Fort Erie (Ridgeway) and Port Colborne: second and fourth Wednesday of each month
Grimsby, Smithville, Lincoln (Beamsville, Jordan, Vineland) and Thorold: first and third Thursday of each month

As a result, the vaccine order deadline will also change. You will need to submit your vaccine order 5 full business days / one calendar week before your new delivery day. The following health care provider locations will need to place their orders the last week of February according to their new delivery days:

St. Catharines A
St. Catharines B
Grimsby, Smithville, Lincoln (Beamsville, Jordan, Vineland) and Thorold

The vaccine delivery schedule webpage has been updated accordingly for future reference.

*How A and B are assigned:

Public Health uses two groups to help organize vaccine deliveries. Your group is assigned automatically based on your office location. There are A and B locations for Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and St. Catharines. If you're not sure whether your office is A or B, call Public Health.

Potential Vaccine Stock Issues

The Ontario Ministry of Health has indicated potential shortages and stock outs for some vaccines (e.g. hepatitis B pediatric, pneumococcal adult / high-risk pediatric, MMR-V). It is unknown if these will impact vaccine orders in Niagara or not. In the event that it does, be aware that vaccine orders may need to be adjusted accordingly.

Office Staff Action

Order vaccine based on your new vaccine delivery schedule. Ensure adequate supply to meet potential demand.
- To order Men-C-ACYW-135 vaccine:
  - For grade 7 vaccines / the ISPA, use the updated School Program Vaccine Order Form
  - For high-risk programming, continue to use High-Risk Vaccine Order Form
- To order MMR vaccine, use the updated vaccine forms for:
  - Physicians and Primary Care
  - Midwives

More Information

Call 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7396