Immunoprophylaxis

Act-HIB^® [Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine (Tetanus Protein – Conjugate)] is indicated for:

• The active immunization of children 2 months of age and older for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b.

• Routine immunization against invasive disease caused by H. influenzae type b in infants and children between 2 to 59 months of age. 

ADACEL^® is indicated for:

• Active booster immunization for the prevention of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) in persons 4 years of age and older.

• Vaccination during pregnancy for passive immunization against pertussis disease in young infants. (See 4 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, 4.1 Dosing Considerations, 7 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, 7.1 Special Populations, 7.1.1 Pregnant Women, and PART II: SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION, 14 CLINICAL TRIALS, Immunogenicity in pregnancy.) 

ADACEL^®-POLIO is indicated for: Active booster immunization for the prevention of tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and poliomyelitis in persons 4 years of age and above. Vaccination during pregnancy for passive immunization against pertussis disease in young infants. (See 4 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, Pregnant Women, and Immunogenicity in Pregnancy.) 

AVAXIM^® is indicated for active immunization against infection caused by HAV in persons 12 years of age and older. AVAXIM can be used for primary immunization or as a booster following primary immunization with AVAXIM or other similar hepatitis A vaccines.

Beyfortus^® (nirsevimab injection) is indicated for the prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease in:²

• Neonates and infants during their first RSV season.

• Children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season, which may include but is not limited to children with:

  • Chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD),

  • Hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (CHD),

  • Immunocompromised states,

  • Down syndrome,

  • Cystic fibrosis,

  • Neuromuscular disease,

  • Congenital airway anomalies.

• FLUZONE^® Quadrivalent is indicated for active immunization against influenza caused by the specific strains of influenza virus contained in the vaccine in adults and children 6 months of age and older.

• Although the current influenza vaccine can contain one or more of the antigens administered in previous years, annual vaccination using the current vaccine is necessary because immunity declines in the year following vaccination.

• The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) encourages annual influenza vaccination for all Canadians 6 months of age and older who have no contraindications.

• The vaccine should be offered to both children and adults up to and even after influenza virus activity is documented in a community.

• Fluzone^® High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine is indicated for active immunization against influenza caused by the specific strains of influenza virus contained in the vaccine in adults 65 years of age and older.³

• The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) provides additional guidance on the use of the influenza vaccine in Canada. Please refer to the published Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for the current season.³

IMOVAX^® Polio is indicated for active immunization against poliomyelitis caused by poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3 from 2 months of age in infants, children and adults both for primary immunization and for boosters. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

IMOVAX^® Rabies is indicated for the active immunization of individuals of all age groups to prevent disease caused by the rabies virus. It is indicated for both pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis.⁴

Menactra^® is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by N. meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y and W-135 in persons 9 months through 55 years of age.⁵

MenQuadfi^® is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W and Y in individuals 12 months of age and older. MenQuadfi does not prevent N. meningitidis serogroup B disease.

PENTACEL^® is indicated for the primary immunization of infants, from the age of 2 months, and in children up to 6 years of age (prior to their 7th birthday), against invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and poliomyelitis. (See 4 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.

QUADRACEL^® is indicated for primary immunization of infants, from the age of 2 months and in children up to 6 years of age (prior to their 7th birthday), against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and poliomyelitis. (See 4 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Td ADSORBED is indicated for active primary and booster immunization for the prevention of tetanus and diphtheria as a single dose in persons 7 years of age and older.

Persons who have had tetanus or diphtheria should still be immunized since these clinical infections do not always confer immunity.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected persons, both asymptomatic and symptomatic, should be immunized against tetanus and diphtheria according to standard schedules.

Td ADSORBED is not to be used for the treatment of disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Clostridium tetani infections.

TUBERSOL^® [Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative (Mantoux)] is indicated to aid diagnosis of tuberculosis infection (TB) in persons at increased risk of developing active disease. There are three general situations where risk of disease is increased:

• Recent infection – most commonly contacts of a recently diagnosed patient with active contagious pulmonary TB, or immigrants within five years of their arrival in Canada from countries where TB is still common.

• Increased risk of reactivation due to impaired immunity. This includes Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, diabetes, renal failure, corticosteroids or other immuno-suppressant medication and pulmonary silicosis.

• Radiographic evidence of old healed inactive TB but no prior treatment. Previous BCG vaccination is not a contraindication to tuberculin testing. TUBERSOL^® may be used as an aid in the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection in persons with a history of BCG vaccination. The repeated testing of uninfected persons does not sensitize them to tuberculin.

TYPHIM Vi^® is indicated for active immunization against S. typhi, the organism which causes typhoid fever.⁷

TYPHIM Vi is recommended for active immunization in persons 2 years of age and older, in the following situations:

1. Travellers to endemic or epidemic areas or where sanitary conditions may be doubtful and where travellers may be exposed to potentially contaminated food and water, particularly when prolonged exposure is anticipated.

2. Travellers with reduced or absent gastric acid secretion.

3. People with ongoing household or intimate exposure to an S. typhi carrier.

4. Laboratory workers who frequently handle cultures of S. typhi.

YF-VAX^® is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of yellow fever in persons 9 months of age or older. It is indicated for both primary and booster vaccination.

Yellow fever vaccination is advised for travellers passing through or living in countries in Africa, Central America and South America where yellow fever infection is officially reported. It is also recommended for travel outside of urban areas of countries that do not officially report yellow fever but lie in the yellow fever “endemic zones.”