MEMO: Rotavirus Immunization Program: Product Transition to Rotarix®

TO: Health Care Professionals in the Niagara region

FROM: Vaccine Preventable Disease program, Niagara Region Public Health

REFERENCE: Rotavirus Immunization Program: Product Transition to Rotarix®

DATE: August 11, 2021

Product Change from RotaTeq® to Rotarix® Vaccine:

On Aug. 1, 2021, Ontario transitioned from the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine RotaTeq® (Rot-5) to the monovalent rotavirus vaccine, Rotarix® (Rot-1) as a result of the federal vaccine purchasing program
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends routine infant rotavirus vaccination with either of the rotavirus vaccine products. They do not recommend one product over the other.
The two rotavirus vaccines differ in composition and schedule, refer to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Updates to the Ontario Rotavirus Immunization Program: Product change to Rotarix® vaccine, Questions and Answers for Health Care Providers
- Rotarix® is a 2-dose series given orally at 2 and 4 months of age
- RotaTeq® is a 3-dose series given orally at 2, 4 and 6 months of age
Infants born on or after June 1, 2021, should start and complete their series with 2 doses of Rotarix®
Infants born before June 1, 2021, should continue and complete their series with 3 doses of RotaTeq®
Infants should start and complete series with the same product whenever possible
If the rotavirus vaccine product used to start the immunization series is not available or if it is unknown, complete the series with the available rotavirus vaccine product
- If any dose in the series is RotaTeq®, a total of 3 doses of rotavirus vaccine should be administered following appropriate intervals and completion timelines
Please use the revised General Vaccine Order Form to request Rotarix® and RotaTeq® (for completion of series)

Additional Information:

To learn about common side effects, contraindications, storage recommendations or administration, refer to the product monograph for Rotarix® or the product monograph for RotaTeq®
Review the Canadian Immunization Guide, Rotavirus Vaccine
For any other questions, please call the Vaccine Preventable Disease program at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7396