Pediacel Fact Sheet – February 2008

• Since 1997, most Canadian infants and children have been vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus Influenza B with a vaccine called Pentacel.  The polio component of the Pentacel vaccine is manufactured using cell strains derived from aborted fetuses.
  
  
• While most parents recognize the value of immunization in protecting their children from disease, many parents feel that using such a vaccine is offensive and implies approval of and justification for abortion.
  
  
• An ethically produced alternative to Pentacel, called Pediacel, was approved for use in Canada since 2000.  Pediacel was not marketed in Canada until 2007.  In August 2007, negotiations were concluded to supply Pediacel instead of Pentacel in the publicly funded health care system. The earliest start date for using Pediacel was to be October 2007.  It is not clear if Pediacel is already available in all provinces**.
  
  
• Parents who want their children immunized with this approved product should not have to wait or be forced to use a vaccine that offends their conscience.  The effectiveness of immunization depends upon its widespread and timely use.  More parents will comply when they do not have to do something that is ethically offensive.
  
  
• We have heard from parents who have been told by local officials that Pediacel will not be available until all supplies of Pentacel have been used up. We understand that health officials do not want to waste any vaccines, but if they wish to encourage parents to immunize their children, it would be in their interest to accommodate those who have ethical and conscience objections to Pentacel.   Pentacel could still be used for the majority of children whose parents do not specifically request Pediacel.
  
  
• Parents who want to have their children immunized with Pediacel should contact their local public health unit to see if Pediacel is available.  If not yet available, ask when it will be.  Let your health practitioner know if you have delayed your child’s immunization so that he/she could be vaccinated with Pediacel.  If you don’t make any headway, contact the person in charge of immunization in your province, your provincial health minister, and your local MLA.  (www.lifecanada.org/html/science/Vaccines/PublicHealthAddresses.html) Request that it be made available without delay to all local public health units especially for parents who request it. 

**Pediacel is available in (this list will be up-dated as the information comes in):

-Manitoba (November 2007)
-Prince Edward Island (confirmed February 2008)
-Alberta (began distribution in November 2007, supplies of Pentacel are being used first, but Pediacel will be available for request in locations where Pentacel is still in stock)
-Northwest Territories (began distribution in September 2007, all supplies of Pentacel were depleted in December 2007. Pediacel is now the only infant vaccine available)