RBR Evidence Summary: <strong>Vaccine Notes</strong>

See The Canadian Immunization Guide and NACI for current recommendations on individual vaccines. (Adapted from websites of NACI and the Canadian Immunization Guide)

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Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis, inactivated Polio virus vaccine, and Haemophilus influenzae B (DTaP-IPV-Hib): DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine may be used for all doses in the vaccination series in children < 2 years of age, and for completion of the series in children < 5 years old who have received ≥ 1 dose of DPT (whole cell) vaccine (e.g. recent immigrants).

Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis, inactivated Polio virus vaccine, Haemophilus influenzae B, and Hepatitis B (Hep B) (DTaP-IPV-Hib-Hep B) is used for 3 of the 4 initial doses in some jurisdictions with routine infant Hep B vaccination programs.

Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis, inactivated Polio virus vaccine (DTaP-IPV) may be used up to age 7 years and for completion of the series in incompletely immunized children 5-7 years old (healthy children ≥5 years of age do not require Hib vaccine).

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Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio (Tdap-IPV) Vaccine, a quadrivalent vaccine containing less pertussis and diphtheria antigen than the preparations given to younger children and less likely to cause local reactions, is used for the preschool booster at 4-6 years of age in some jurisdictions and should be used in all individuals > 7 years of age receiving or completing their primary series.

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Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis vaccine (dTap) is used for booster doses in people ≥ 7 years of age. All adults should receive at least one dose of pertussis containing vaccine (excluding the adolescent booster). Immunization with dTap should be offered to all pregnant women (≥13 weeks of gestation, ideally at 27 – 32 weeks) to provide immediate protection to infants less than 6 months of age.

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Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine (Hib): Hib is usually given as a combined vaccine (DTaP-IPV-Hib above). If required and not given in combination, Hib is available as Haemophilus b capsular polysaccharide – PRP conjugated to tetanus toxoid (Act-HIBTM or HiberixTM). The number of doses required depends on the age at vaccination and underlying health status.

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Rotavirus vaccine: Universal rotavirus vaccine is recommended by NACI and CPS. Two oral vaccines are currently authorized for use in Canada: Rotarix (2 doses) and RotaTeq (3 doses). Dose #1 is given between 6 weeks and 14 weeks+6 days with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses. Maximum age for the last dose is 8 months/0 days.

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Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR), and MMR-varicella (MMRV): The first dose is given at 12-15 months and a second dose should be given with the 18 month or preschool dose of DTaP-IPV (±Hib) (depending on the provincial/territorial policy), or at any intervening age that is practical but at least 4 weeks after the first if MMR, or 3 months after the first if MMRV. If MMRV is not used, MMR and varicella vaccines should be administered concurrently, at different sites, or separated by at least 4 weeks.

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Varicella vaccine: Children aged 12 months to 12 years who have not had varicella should receive 2 doses of varicella vaccine (univalent varicella or MMRV). Unvaccinated individuals ≥ 13 years who have not had varicella should receive two doses at least 28 days apart (univalent varicella only). Consult NACI guidelines for recommended options for catch-up varicella vaccination. Varicella and MMR vaccines should be administered concurrently, at different sites if the MMRV [combined MMR/varicella] vaccine is not available, or separated by at least 4 weeks.

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Hepatitis B vaccine (Hep B):

Hepatitis B vaccine can be routinely given to infants or preadolescents, depending on the provincial/territorial policy. The first dose can be given at 1 month, or at 2 months of age to fit more conveniently with other routine infant immunization visits. The minimum interval between the first and second dose is 4 weeks; between the second and third dose is 2 months; and between the first and the third dose is 4 months. Alternatively, Hep B can be administered as DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB vaccine in infants, with the first dose at 2 months of age. A two-dose schedule for adolescents is an option.

For infants born to a mother with acute or chronic hepatitis B (HBsAg- positive), the first dose of Hep B vaccine should be given at birth (with Hepatitis B immune globulin) and repeat doses of vaccine at 1 and 6 months of age. Premature infants of birthweight less than 2,000 grams, born to HB- infected mothers, require four doses of HB vaccine at 0, 1, 2, and 6 months. The last dose should not be given before 6 months of age. Infants of HBsAg-positive mothers also require Hepatitis B immune globulin at birth and follow-up immune status at 9–12 months for HBV antibodies and HBsAg.

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Hepatitis A or A/B combined (HAHB – when Hepatitis B vaccine has not been previously given):

Children 6 months and older in high-risk groups should receive 2 doses of the hepatitis A vaccine given 6-36 months apart (depending on product used). HAHB is the preferred vaccine for individuals with indications for immunization against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B, who are ≥12 months unless medical condition indicates high dose Hep B vaccine required.

These vaccines should also be considered when traveling to countries where Hepatitis A or B are endemic.

Possible HAHB schedules include 12 months to 18 years: 2 doses at months 0 and 6-12; OR 3 doses at months 0, 1, and 6 depending on age and product used.

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Pneumococcal vaccine: conjugate (Pneu-C-13) and polysaccharide (Pneu-P-23):

Recommended schedule, number of doses, and product depend on the age of the child, risk for pneumococcal disease, and when vaccination is begun. Consult NACI guidelines.

Routine infant immunization: administer three doses of Pneu-C-13 vaccine at minimum 8-week intervals beginning at 2 months of age, followed by a fourth dose at 12 to 15 months of age. For healthy infants, a three-dose schedule may be used, with doses at 2 months, 4 months, and 12 months of age.

Children 2 years and above who are at highest risk of invasive pneumococcal disease should receive Pneu-P-23. Consult NACI guidelines for eligibility and dosing schedule.

Pneu-C-15 or Pneu-C-20 are now available and are being used in some jurisdictions instead of Pneu-C-13. See NACI for details including products, doses, and timing.

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Meningococcal vaccine:

Canadian children should be immunized with a MCV-C at 12 months of age, or earlier depending on provincial/territorial vaccine programs; suggested one dose at 12 months of age.

MCV-4 (A, C, Y, W) should be given to children two months of age and older who are at increased risk for meningococcal disease or who have been in close contact with a case of invasive meningococcal A,C,Y, or W disease. MCV-4-CRM (MenveoTM) should be used for those less than 2 years old; any MCV-4 may be used for older children.

A routine booster dose with MCV-4 or MCV-C is recommended at approximately 12 years of age. High risk children require boosters at 5 year intervals.

MCV-4 should be given to children two months of age and older travelling to areas where meningococcal vaccine is recommended. MCV-4 CRM is recommended for immunization of children 2 months to less than 2 years of age. Any MCV-4 may be used for older children.

Multi-component meningococcal serogroup B (4CMenB) vaccine should be considered for active immunization of children ≥ 2 months of age who are at high risk of meningococcal disease or who have been in close contact with a case of invasive meningococcal B disease or travelling to an area where risk of transmission of meningococcus B is high. Two to 3 doses are required at 4 or 8 wk intervals depending on age.

Routine prophylactic administration of acetaminophen after immunization and/or separating 4CMenB vaccination from routine vaccination schedule may be considered for preventing fever in infants and children up to 3 years of age.

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Influenza vaccine: Recommended for all children, particularly those aged 6-59 months and other children at high risk.

Previously unvaccinated children up to 9 years of age require 2 doses with an interval of at least 4 weeks. The second dose is not required if the child has received one or more doses of influenza vaccine during the previous immunization season. A quadrivalent vaccine should be used if available.

For children between 6 and 23 months, the quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (QIV) should be used, and if not available, either unadjuvanted or adjuvanted trivalent inactivated vaccine (TIV).

Children 2-18 years of age should be given QIV, or quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) if not contraindicated. If a quadrivalent vaccine is not available, TIV should be used. Egg allergy is not a contraindication to vaccination with QIV, TIV, or LAIV.

Immunize with TIV or QIV in the second or third trimester to provide protection for the pregnant woman and infant <6 months of age.

LAIV is contraindicated for children i) with immune compromising conditions, ii) with severe asthma (defined as current active wheezing or currently on oral or high-dose inhaled glucocorticosteroids, or medically attended wheezing within the previous 7 days), or iii) on aspirin.

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COVID-19 vaccine: Due to the amount of evolving evidence with rapidly changing recommendations, see NACI and the Canadian Immunization Guide for details on COVID-19 vaccination.
COVID-19 vaccine for children and adolescents (CPS)

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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine: Palivizumab (Synagis) prophylaxis during RSV season for children with chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, or born preterm. A long-acting monoclonal antibody (Nirsevimab) for infants and an RSV vaccine (ABRYSVO) have recently been approved. NACI guidance is pending.
See the Canadian Immunization Guide.

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