Rotavirus vaccine product change

Advisory Alert

July 21, 2021

*Cette information est seulement disponible en anglais.

To: Health Care Providers

FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

Province Transitioning from RotaTeq® to Rotarix® Vaccine

Effective August 1, 2021 Ontario will be transitioning from RotaTeq® vaccine (Rot-5, manufactured by Merck Canada) a three-dose vaccine series, to Rotarix® vaccine (Rot-1, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline Inc.) a two-dose vaccine series, for the prevention of gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus infection in infants. This change is due to a recent federal vaccine contracting process.

Infants born on or after June 1, 2021, should start their rotavirus vaccine series with the Rotarix® vaccine. Infants completing their vaccine series should receive the additional dose(s) of RotaTeq® vaccine required to complete this series, wherever possible.

Important changes you should be aware of are summarized below:

Guidance for product transitioning:
Scenarios to Complete the Rotavirus Vaccine Series

The schedule below outlines various recommendations for completing the rotavirus vaccine series based on vaccine product availability.

Infant’s immunization historyResponse
The infant previously received 1 or 2 doses of RotaTeq® and RotaTeq® is available.Complete the 3-dose series with RotaTeq® at an interval of 4 to 10 weeks between each dose. All doses should be administered by ≤ 32 weeks of age.
The infant previously received 1 dose of RotaTeq® and RotaTeq® is not available. Complete the series with 2 doses of Rotarix® at an interval of 4 weeks between doses. The two doses should be completed by <25 weeks.
The infant previously received 2 doses of RotaTeq® and RotaTeq® is not available. Complete series with 1 dose of Rotarix® by <25 weeks of age.
Unknown product for previous dose(s).Complete series with 2 doses of Rotarix® by <25 weeks of age. If any of the doses was RotaTeq® a total of 3 doses of rotavirus vaccine should be administered. All doses are required to be administered <25 weeks of age.

Please refer to the accompanying health care provider Q&A provided by the Ministry of Health for further information on rotavirus infection and the vaccine products available for prevention.

Please contact the Immunization Program at 705.522.9200, ext. 458 with any questions you may have about this product transition. Please order any required vaccine through your normal ordering practices.

Sincerely,

Original Signed By

Dr. Penny Sutcliffe
Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer

NOTE: All Advisory Alerts are found on our website.


This item was last modified on July 21, 2021