Health Professionals Update – Vol. 19, No. 21
From:
Dr. Nicholas Brandon, MD, MA, MSc, CCFP, FRCPC
Associate Medical Officer of Health
In this issue
- Pneumococcal vaccine program update
- New product: Infanrix-IPV/HIB (DTaP-IPV-Hib)
- Reminder: Order adult RSV vaccine for eligible adults
Key messages
- Routine pneumococcal immunization for individuals 65 years of age and older is transitioning from the pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate vaccine to the pneumococcal 21-valent conjugate vaccine.
- Criteria for publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine programs has not changed, and re-vaccination is not part of the product transition to Pneu-C-21 vaccine.
- Infanrix-IPV/Hib will be distributed as an additional product for DTaP-IPV-Hib.
- Pentacel and Infanrix-IPV/Hib are interchangeable.
- Ontario’s adult RSV prevention program continues to be offered.
- Eligibility for RSV vaccine (Arexvy or Abrysvo) include individuals 75 years and older and those 60 to 74 years and are at higher risk (see full list).
Pneumococcal vaccine program update
The routine pneumococcal immunization program for adults aged 65 years and older is transitioning from the pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate vaccine (Pneu-C-20, Prevnar 20) to the pneumococcal 21-valent conjugate vaccine (Pneu-C-21, Capvaxive). Pneu-C 20 (Prevnar 20) will continue to be available for individuals aged 6 weeks to 64 years of age at high risk for invasive pneumococcal disease. Eligibility for publicly funded pneumococcal vaccination remains unchanged.
Publicly funded pneumococcal vaccines
Three pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are now available through Ontario's publicly funded immunization program. Please ensure vaccine selection is based on the individual's age and risk factors for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD).
- Pneu-C-15 (Vaxneuvance): Children 6 weeks to 4 years at low risk IPD.
- Pneu-C-20 (Prevnar 20): Individuals 6 weeks to 64 years at high risk for IPD.
- NEW! Pneu-C-21 (Capvaxive): Adults 65 years and older.
Key points
- Pneu-C-21 is expected to provide broader protection against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) compared to the Pneu-C-20 vaccine for individuals 65 years of age and older.
- Re-vaccination is not part of the product transition to Pneu-C-21 vaccine (i.e., if a dose of publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine was previously received, re-vaccination with publicly funded Pneu-C-21 vaccine is not part of eligibility).
- Access the CAPVAXIVE product monograph for additional product information.
For additional information related to the pneumococcal publicly funded immunization program please refer to the updated Health care provider fact sheets found at Vaccine resources for professionals | ontario.ca
Pneumococcal vaccines can be ordered through the Health Professional Portal.
New product: Infanrix-IPV/HIB (DTaP-IPV-Hib)
Infanrix-IPV/Hib will be distributed as an additional product for DTaP-IPV-Hib. Pentacel and Infanrix-IPV/Hib are interchangeable. Due to supply availability, orders may be fulfilled with either product.
Infanrix-IPV/Hib
Requires reconstitution, DTaP-IPV suspension with Hib lyophilized powder.
Packaging changes:
- Product distributed is in the 10-Pk format (7” x 5.45” x 0.9”), containing 10 single-dose DTaP-IPV pre-filled syringes and 10 single-dose Hib vials.
- Access the the Infanrix-IPV/Hib product monograph for additional product information.
Since DTaP-IPV has been replaced by Tdap-IPV for the 4 to 6 years age dose in Ontario’s publicly funded immunization schedule, Pentacel/Infanrix-IPV-Hib should not be used as separate products (i.e., DTaP-IPV and Hib separately).
Reminder: Order adult RSV vaccine for eligible adults
Ontario’s adult RSV prevention program continues to be offered. RSV immunization products are available for ordering.
Eligibility for RSV vaccine (Arexvy or Abrysvo):
- 75 years and older
- 60 to 74 years and meet one of the following criteria:
- Resident of a long-term care home, Elder Care Lodge, or retirement home including similar settings (for example, co-located facilities).
- Patient in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC) including similar settings (for example, complex continuing care, hospital transitional programs).
- patient with glomerulonephritis (GN) who is moderately to severely immunocompromised
- patient receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
- recipient of solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplants
- individual who is homeless
- individual who identifies as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis
Contact us
The Health Professionals Update (HPU) is distributed to physician offices in Peel region via fax or email. Share this update with other health professionals in your clinic.
More information
- Review past HPUs
- Subscribe to HPU emails
- For questions about this update, email healthprofessionals@peelregion.ca