Health Professionals Update – Vol. 19, No. 4
From:
Dr. Hetal Patel, MD, MPH, CCFP, FRCPC, Associate Medical Officer of Health
In this issue
- New: Resource for Hepatitis B (HB) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine administration
- Vaccine supply updates
- New: School vaccination reporting poster
Key messages
- A new resource is available for HB and HPV vaccine administration.
- MenQuadfi (Men-C-ACYW) will be distributed and is equivalent to Nimenrix and Menactra.
- Menactra or Nimenrix must be used for infants 9 to 12 months of age eligible under the meningococcal high-risk program.
- UK labelled MMR vaccine M-M-RvaxPro will be distributed and is equivalent to M-M-R-II.
- A poster is available to remind parents and guardians to report vaccinations to Peel Public Health.
New: Resource for Hepatitis B (HB) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine administration
As shared on September 3, 2025, Vol. 18, No. 22, HB and HPV vaccines offered through the school-based and high-risk immunization programs can be ordered via the Health Professionals Portal.
A Hepatitis B (HB) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines - eligibility and schedules resource has been developed to assist with administration, outlining eligibility criteria and dosing schedules (e.g., 2-dose vs. 3-dose regimens).
Vaccine supply updates
Distribution of MenQuadfi (Men-C-ACYW) vaccine
MenQuadfi will be distributed as part of Ontario’s publicly funded immunization program for eligible patients. There are no changes to the publicly funded criteria.
About MenQuadfi:
- Conjugated quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine (Men-C-ACYW).
- Indicated for individuals 12 months and older.
- Considered equivalent product to Menactra and Nimenrix.
Health care professionals can refer to the Canadian Product Monograph for MenQuadfi for additional information.
Meningococcal high-risk program
For infants 9 to 12 months of age eligible under the meningococcal Men-C-ACYW high-risk program, only Menactra or Nimenrix may be used due to their lower age indication.
Eligibility criteria:
- Acquired complement deficiencies (e.g., receiving eculizumab)
- Asplenia (functional or anatomic)
- Cochlear implant recipients (pre or post implant)
- Complement, properdin, factor D or primary antibody deficiencies
- HIV
To order vaccines under the high-risk Meningococcal (Men-C-ACYW and 4CMenB) program, completion of the requisition form is required. Once completed, fax the form to the number indicated on the form for processing. The requisition form is available online.
Meningococcal vaccine (Men-C-ACYW) for students in grade 7 to 12 can be ordered on the Peel Health Professionals Portal.
Distribution of UK labelled MMR vaccine (M-M-RvaxPro)
Merck Canada has communicated that, due to high demand, Health Canada has permitted importation of UK-labelled M-M-RvaxPro (MMR) and will be distributed as part of Ontario’s publicly funded immunization program.
- The UK-labelled M-M-RvaxPro is equivalent to the Canadian-authorized M-M-R II.
- The UK-labelled M-M-RvaxPro can be used in the same manner as the Canadian authorized M-M-R II.
About UK-labelled M-M-RvaxPro:
- The “preservative free” mention is not on the UK labelling. However, the vaccine is preservative free.
- Single dose format.
- Requires reconstitution.
- Packaged in cartons containing one vial of vaccine powder with one pre-filled syringe of sterile diluent and 2 needles.
- UK labels use the expiry format XX-YYYY, where XX is the two-letter month abbreviation and YYYY is the year. The vaccine or diluent may be used up to and including the last day of the month.
- UK labels are available in English only.
Health care professionals can refer to the Notice to Healthcare Professionals – Temporary Importation of United Kingdom (UK) – labelled M-M-RvaxPro and the Canadian Product Monograph for M-M-R II for additional information.
New: School vaccination reporting poster
- Peel Public Health has developed a poster to help parents and guardians comply with immunization requirements for school and childcare attendance.
- Remind parents that doctors do not report vaccinations to Peel Public Health.
- Parents must report every time their child receives a vaccine to ensure their records are up to date with Peel Public Health.
- Download and print the poster and place in high-visibility locations within your clinic, such as waiting rooms, exam rooms and vaccination areas.
School vaccination reporting poster
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:
For questions about this update, email healthprofessionals@peelregion.ca.