Rotavirus: Transitioning to RotaTeq® (Rot-5) Vaccine

July 20, 2018

Ontario is transitioning from the monovalent rotavirus vaccine, Rotarix® (Rot-1) to the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine RotaTeq® (Rot-5) in the infant rotavirus immunization program.

Ontario is switching products as a result of the federally coordinated vaccine purchasing program. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends routine infant rotavirus vaccination with either of the rotavirus vaccine products. They do not preferentially recommend one product over the other. Both products are live attenuated vaccines that are given orally. They differ in their authorized schedules, RotaTeq® is a 3 dose series and Rotarix® is a 2 dose series.

RotaTeq® vaccine doses are routinely given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Ideally, 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.

We will continue to supply Rotarix until we receive the new shipment of RotaTeq®, expected mid to late August.

Please continue to order vaccine doses for Ontario’s publicly funded immunization programs through your regular mechanisms.

For additional information on the Ontario publicly funded rotavirus program and product details, please contact Lisa Miller, Public Health Nurse, or Christine Karasiuk at 1-800-660-5853 or email [email protected].

Thank you.

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