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Routine Infant Meningococcal Vaccine Transition: Men-C-C to Men-C-ACYW

Routine Infant Meningococcal Vaccine Transition: Men-C-C to Men-C-ACYW

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Quick facts

  • Meningococcal C conjugate (Men‑C‑C) vaccines will no longer be available in Canada.
  • Ontario will transition to using quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate (Men‑C‑ACYW) vaccines for the routine childhood immunization program.
  • During the transition period, please continue to use existing Men-C-C inventory for all eligible routine 12-month doses and catch-up immunizations until supply is depleted or expires.
  • Continue to place routine and high-risk meningococcal vaccine orders through the online vaccine order form.

Key messages for healthcare providers

  • The Ministry of Health has announced that Men‑C‑C vaccines (NeisVac‑C® and Menjugate) will be discontinued in Canada.
  • In alignment with recommendatons from NACI (external PDF) and OIAC (external PDF), Ontario will transition to quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate (Men‑C‑ACYW) vaccines (Nimenrix®, Menveo, and MenQuadfi®) for the routine childhood immunization program.
  • While the program change will provide broader protection against additional serogroups (A, Y and W), the transition is not related to changes in meningococcal disease epidemiology or increased risk in Ontario.
  • Children who have already received a Men‑C‑C dose at ≥12 months of age do not require revaccination with Men‑C‑ACYW solely due to this program change.
  • Individuals will remain eligible for the routine Men‑C‑ACYW dose in Grade 7, in accordance with the existing publicly funded program.
  • As per Ministry guidance, Halton Region Public Health will continue to supply Men-C-C for routine infant immunization until existing inventory is depleted, which is expected by the end of September.
  • The routine section of the online vaccine order form will be updated once the Men-C-C inventory is depleted and the transition to Men-C-ACYW begins.
  • Do not discard usable Men-C-C vaccines prior to expiry.
  • Publicly funded age groups for the high‑risk program will be updated to better align with authorized age indications outlined in product monographs. Menveo® is authorized for use from 2 months of age, while Nimenrix® and MenQuadfi™ are authorized for use from 6 weeks of age.
  • A summary of the meningococcal vaccine program changes and product availability are outlined below:
    Program / age Vaccine products Key update / notes
    Routine Immunization Program, 12 months of age and older MenQuadfi™, Menveo®, or Nimenrix® may be used New Products introduced.
    Continue to use Men-C-C until supply depleted.
    School Based Immunization Program, Grade 7 MenQuadfi™, Menveo®, or Nimenrix® may be used No change to existing program.
    High-Risk Immunization Program, Individuals 6 weeks and older who meet high-risk criteria MenQuadfi™, Menveo®, or Nimenrix® may be used, depending on age Change in age criteria based on authorized indications for each product.
  • A comprehensive Q&A document for health care providers on the meningococcal vaccine transition will be posted to the Ministry of Health’s Vaccine Resources for Professionals webpage (external link) in the coming weeks. Please consult the document for additional guidance when it becomes available.

Additional resources

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