MEMO: Rotavirus Vaccine Change
TO: Health Care Professionals in the Niagara region
FROM: Vaccine Preventable Disease Program
REFERENCE: Rotavirus Vaccine Change
DATE: Oct. 1, 2018
Vaccine Change
- Ontario is transitioning from the monovalent rotavirus vaccine, Rotarix® to the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine RotaTeq® in the infant rotavirus immunization program as a result of the federally coordinated vaccine purchasing program
- RotaTeq® vaccine doses are routinely given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, with the completion of the third dose by 32 weeks of age. The RotaTeq® vaccine is publicly funded until 32 weeks.
- Infants should start and complete their series with the same product, whenever possible. In the event that Rotarix® is not available for infants who started their series with this product or if the product used for the first dose is unknown, Rotateq® can be used, for a total of
three doses.
- When administering a first dose of Rotarix® to an infant, try to designate a second dose of Rotarix® by labelling and putting it aside until the infant is old enough for the next dose
- Based on the current supply of Rotarix® vaccine remaining in Niagara, it is anticipated that the transition will occur in mid to late fall. You should expect to receive RotaTeq® vaccine by the end of
2018.
- RotaTeq® vaccine may be requested through the Vaccine Preventable Disease program or via the online ordering form
For More Information
Access the Provider Fact Sheet on the Rotavirus Immunization Program.
For further information, please contact Niagara Region Public Health, Vaccine Preventable Disease program at 1-888-505-6074 or 905-688-8248 ext. 7425 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.