Contents of immunizing agents authorized for use in Canada: Canadian Immunization Guide

For health professionals

Last partial content update: February 2023

This chapter was updated to align with changes made to:

This information is captured in the table of updates.

Last complete chapter revision (see table of updates): April 2017

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Introduction

The following tables provide a comprehensive list of contents of immunizing agents authorized for marketing in Canada. While all products have been approved for use in Canada by Health Canada, they may not actually be marketed or available for use at any given time. Table 1 lists contents of active vaccines and Table 2 lists contents of passive immunizing agents. Vaccine providers should consult the product label, product leaflet, or product monograph for current product information. Manufacturers provide evidence of vaccine safety and efficacy and receive authorization for the immunizing agent only when it is used in accordance with the product monograph available through Health Canada's Drug Product Database. Information about the vaccine manufacturer/distributor is available in vaccine-specific chapters in Part 4. For more information about immunoglobulins, refer to Basic Immunology and Vaccinology in Part 1.

Contents of immunizing agents

In addition to the active component (antigen or instructions for the antigen in case of vaccines or antibody in case of immunoglobulins), immunizing agents may contain additional ingredients such as adjuvants, preservatives, additives, and traces of other substances.

Adjuvants

An adjuvant is a substance that is added to a vaccine to enhance the resulting immune response and to extend the duration of B and T cell activation. An adjuvant allows a reduction in the amount of antigen per dose or the total number of doses needed to achieve immunity, and helps to improve the immune response in individuals with some degree of immune suppression (for example, the elderly). The adjuvants used in vaccines currently marketed in Canada are:

  • aluminum salts (aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)₃], aluminum phosphate [AlPO4], or amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate [AAHS])
  • AS01B (3-O-desacyl-4'-monophosphoryl lipid A [MPL], Quillaja saponaria Molina, fraction 21 [QS-21], cholesterol, dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine [DOPC], disodium phosphate anhydrous, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, water for injection)
  • AS01E (Quillaja saponaria Molina, fraction 21 (QS-21), 3-O-desacyl-4’-monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) from Salmonella minnesota, dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, sodium chloride, disodium phosphate anhydrous, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, water for injection)
  • AS04 (3-O-desacyl-4'-monophosphoryl lipid A adsorbed onto aluminum [as hydroxide salt])
  • Matrix-M adjuvant (cholesterol, disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, phosphatidylcholine, potassium chloride, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride)
  • MF59 (oil-in-water emulsion composed of squalene as the oil phase, stabilized with the surfactants polysorbate 80 and sorbitan trioleate, in citrate buffer).

Preservatives

Chemicals (for example, thimerosal, phenol, 2-phenoxyethanol) may be added to vaccines to prevent serious infections which may result from bacterial or fungal contamination of the vaccine. Most vaccines authorized for use in Canada do not contain thimerosal.

Other contents of immunizing agents

Other substances that may be found in immunizing agents include:

  • Minute amounts of chemicals that are used during the production process, such as for the growth or purification of specific antigens or the inactivation of toxins. For example, antibiotics that prevent contamination during viral cell culture; egg or yeast proteins glycerol, serum, amino acids and enzymes that are needed for the growth of bacteria and viruses; and formaldehyde that is used to inactivate viruses and protein toxins.
  • Small amounts of chemicals that support product stability. For example, additives such as potassium or sodium salts, lactose, and polysorbate help control product acidity (pH) and maintain the quality of vaccine antigens.
Table 1: Types and contents of vaccines authorized for use in Canada
Brand name Route Vaccine type
(live; non-live)
Immunogen Adjuvant Preservative Potential allergens Footnote 1 Other materials Abbreviation
A dash [ - ] indicates that there are no materials under that category in the product.
ACAM2000® Percutaneous scarification with bifurcated needle live
  • Vaccinia
- P
  • Neomycin
  • Polymyxin B
  • Glycerin
  • HEPES (4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid) buffer
  • Human serum albumin
  • Mannitol
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection (containing glycerin and phenol)
Sma
Act-HIB® IM non-live
  • Hib
- -
  • Tetanus toxoid carrier protein
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sucrose
  • Trometamol
Hib
ADACEL® IM non-live
  • T
  • d
  • ap
AlPO4 PE -
  • Formaldehyde
  • Glutaraldehyde
Tdap
ADACEL® -POLIO IM non-live
  • T
  • d
  • ap
  • IPV
AlPO4 PE
  • Neomycin
  • Polymyxin B
  • Streptomycin
  • Polysorbate 80 Footnote 2
  • Bovine serum albumin
  • Formaldehyde
  • Glutaraldehyde
  • Water for injection
Tdap-IPV
AFLURIA® TETRA IM non-live
  • Inf
- TmFootnote 3
  • Egg protein
  • Neomycin sulfate
  • Polymixin B sulfate
  • Thimerosal Footnote 3
  • Beta-propiolactone
  • Calcium chloride
  • Dibasic sodium phosphate (anhydrous)
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Monobasic potassium phosphate
  • Monobasic sodium phosphate
  • Potassium chloride
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sodium taurodeoxycholate
  • Sucrose
  • Water for injection
IIV4-SD
AREXVY IM non-live RSV AS01E -
  • 3-O-desacyl-4’-monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL)
  • Cholesterol
  • Dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine
  • Dipotassium phosphate
  • Disodium phosphate anhydrous
  • Potassium dihydrogen phosphate
  • Quillaja saponaria Molina, fraction 21 (QS-21)
  • Sodium chloride
  • Trehalose dihydrate
  • Water for injection
RSV
AVAXIM® IM non-live HA Al(OH)3
  • PE
  • Ethanol anhydrous
  • Medium 199 Hanks
  • Water for injection
  • Formaldehyde
HA
BEXSERO® IM non-live Men B Al(OH)3 -
  • Latex in tip cap of syringe
  • Kanamycin (Residue)
  • Histidine
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sucrose
  • Water for injections
4CMenB
BOOSTRIX® IM non-live
  • T
  • d
  • ap
Al(OH)3 -
  • Formaldehyde
  • Glycine
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection
Tdap
BOOSTRIX® -POLIO IM non-live
  • T
  • d
  • ap
  • IPV
Al(OH)3, AlPO4 -
  • Neomycin
  • Polymyxin B
  • Formaldehyde
  • Medium 199
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection
Tdap-IPV
CERVARIX® IM non-live HPV AS04 -
  • Latex in plunger stopper of pre-filled syringe
  • Hydrated sodium chloride
  • Sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate
  • Water for injection
HPV2
COMIRNATY® (Original)Footnote 4

IM

non-live

SARS-CoV-2

-

-

  • Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Footnote 2
  • Tromethamine
  • Tromethamine (hydrochloride)
  • 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
  • ALC-0159 = 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide
  • ALC-0315 = ((4-hydroxybutyl) azanediyl)bis (hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
  • Cholesterol
  • Sodium chloride Footnote 5
  • Sucrose
  • Water for injection

COVID-19

COMIRNATY® (Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5)Footnote 4
COMIRNATY® (Original & Omicron BA.1) – Gray Vial Cap and Label Border
COMIRNATY® Omicron XBB.1.5
COMIRNATY® (Original) - Purple Vial Cap and Label Border IM non-live SARS-CoV-2 - -
  • 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
  • ALC-0159 = 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide
  • ALC-0315 = ((4-hydroxybutyl) azanediyl)bis (hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
  • Cholesterol
  • Dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate
  • Monobasic potassium phosphate
  • Potassium chloride
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sucrose
  • Water for injection
COVID-19
DUKORAL® Oral non-live
  • Chol
  • Ecol
- - -
  • Citric acid
  • Disodium hydrogen phosphate
  • Raspberry flavor
  • Saccharin sodium
  • Sodium carbonate
  • Sodium citrate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sodium dihydrogen phosphate
  • Sodium hydrogen carbonate
  • Water for injection
Chol-Ecol-O
ENGERIX® -B

IM

non-live

HB

Al(OH)3

-
  • Yeast protein
  • Disodium phosphate dihydrate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate
  • Water for injection

HB

ENGERIX® -B Pediatric dose
ERVEBO® IM live EBOV - -
  • Benzonase
  • Hydrochloric acid
  • Recombinant human serum albumin
  • Sodium hydroxide
  • Trace amounts of rice protein
  • Trometamol buffer
  • Water for injection
EZV
FLUAD®

IM

non-live

Inf

MF59

-
  • Egg protein
  • Kanamycin
  • Neomycin
  • Polysorbate 80 Footnote 2
  • Calcium chloride dehydrate
  • Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide
  • Citric acid
  • Disodium phosphate dihydrate
  • Formaldehyde
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Magnesium chloride hexahydrate
  • Potassium chloride
  • Potassium dihydrogen phosphate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sodium citrate
  • Sorbitan trioleate
  • Squalene
  • Water for injection

IIV3-Adj

FLUAD® Pediatric
FLUCELVAX® QUAD IM non-live Inf - Tm Footnote 3
  • Beta-propiolactone
  • Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide
  • Disodium phosphate dihydrate
  • Magnesium chloride hexahydrate
  • Potassium chloride
  • Potassium dihydrogen phosphate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injections
IIV4-cc
FLULAVAL TETRA IM non-live Inf - Tm Footnote 3
  • α-tocopheryl hydrogen succinate
  • Disodium hydrogen phosphate heptahydrate
  • Ethanol
  • Formaldehyde
  • Potasium chloride
  • Potassium dihydrogen phosphate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sodium deoxycholate
  • Sucrose
  • Water for injection
IIV4-SD
FLUMIST® QUADRIVALENT IN live Inf - -
  • Arginine hydrochloride
  • Egg protein
  • Gelatin hydrolysate
  • Gentamicin
  • Dibasic potassium phosphate
  • Monosodium glutamate
  • Monobasic potassium phosphate
  • Sucrose
LAIV4
FLUVIRAL® IM non-live Inf - Tm Footnote 3
  • α-tocopheryl hydrogen succinate
  • Disodium hydrogen phosphate heptahydrate
  • Ethanol
  • Formaldehyde
  • Potassium chloride
  • Potassium dihydrogen phosphate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sodium deoxycholate
  • Sucrose
  • Water for injection
IIV3-SD
FLUZONE® High-Dose Quadrivalent IM non-live Inf - -
  • Egg protein
  • Formaldehyde
  • Sodium phosphate-buffered isotonic sodium chloride solution
  • Triton® X-100
IIV4-HD
FLUZONE® Quadrivalent IM non-live Inf - Tm Footnote 3
  • Formaldehyde
  • Sodium phosphate-buffered isotonic sodium chloride solution
  • Triton® X-100
IIV4-SD
GARDASIL® 9 IM non-live HPV AAHS -
  • L-histidine
  • Sodium borate
  • Sodium chloride
HPV9
HAVRIX®

IM

non-live

HA

Al(OH)3

-
  • Neomycin
  • Amino acids
  • Disodium phosphate
  • Formaldehyde
  • Monopotassium phosphate
  • Polysorbate 20
  • Potassium chloride
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection

HA

HAVRIX® 720 JUNIOR
IMOVAX® Polio SC non-live IPV - PE
  • Neomycin
  • Polymyxin B
  • Streptomycin
  • Polysorbate 80 Footnote 2
  • Bovine serum
  • Formaldehyde
  • Medium 199 Hanks
IPV
IMOVAX® Rabies IM non-live Rab - -
  • Neomycin
  • Phenol red
  • Human albumin
  • Water for injection
HDCV
IMVAMUNE® Footnote 6 SC live Vaccinia - -
  • Benzonase
  • Bromobutyl rubber stopper
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Gentamicin
  • Residual host (egg) cell DNA and protein
  • Trometamol
  • Hydrochloric acid
  • Sodium chloride
  • Tris-hydroxymethyl-amino methane
  • Water for injection
SMV
INFANRIX hexa® IM non-live
  • D
  • T
  • aP
  • HB
  • IPV
  • Hib
Al(OH)3, AlPO4 -
  • Butyl in stopper
  • Neomycin
  • Polymyxin B
  • Lactose
  • M199
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection
DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib
INFANRIX® -IPV/Hib IM non-live
  • D
  • T
  • aP
  • IPV
  • Hib
Al(OH)3 -
  • Neomycin sulphate
  • Polymixin sulphate
  • Polysorbate 80 Footnote 2
  • Lactose
  • Sodium chloride
  • M199
  • Water for injection
  • Residual formaldehyde
  • Potassium chloride
  • Disodium phosphate
  • Monopotassium phosphate
  • Glycine
DTaP-IPV-Hib
INFLUVAC® TETRA SC/IM non-live Inf - -
  • Calcium chloride dihydrate
  • Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide
  • Disodium phosphate dihydrate
  • Formaldehyde
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Magnesium chloride hexahydrate
  • Potassium chloride
  • Potassium dihydrogen phosphate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sodium citrate
  • Sucrose
  • Tylosine tartrate
  • Water for injection
IIV4-SD
IXIARO® IM non-live JE Al(OH)3 - -
  • Disodium hydrogen phosphate
  • Potassium dihydrogen phosphate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection
JE
Menactra® IM non-live Men - -
  • Diphtheria toxoid carrier protein
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sodium phosphate dibasic (anhydrous)
  • Sodium phosphate monobasic
  • Water for injection
Men-C-ACYW-DT
MENJUGATE Liquid IM non-live Men Al(OH)3 -
  • Diphtheria CRM197 toxoid carrier protein
  • Bromobutyl rubber stopper
  • Histidine
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection
Men-C-C-CRM
MenQuadfiTM IM non-live Men - -
  • Tetanus toxoid carrier protein
  • Sodium acetate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sterile water for injection
Men-C-ACYW-TT
MenveoTM IM non-live Men - -
  • Diphtheria CRM197 toxoid carrier protein
  • Disodium hydrogen phosphate bihydrate
  • Potassium dihydrogen phosphate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate
  • Sucrose
  • Water for injection
Men-C-ACYW-CRM
M-M-R® II SC live
  • Meas
  • Mumps
  • Rub
- -
  • Neomycin
  • Phenol red
  • Porcine gelatin
  • Residual components of chick embryo cell cultures
  • Fetal bovine serum
  • Medium 199 with Hank's salts
  • Minimum essential medium (Eagle)
  • Monosodium L-glutamate monohydrate
  • Potassium phosphate dibasic (anhydrous)
  • Potassium phosphate monobasic
  • Recombinant human albumin
  • Sodium bicarbonate
  • Sodium phosphate dibasic (anhydrous)
  • Sodium phosphate monobasic
  • Sorbitol
  • Sucrose
  • Water for injection
MMR
NeisVac-C® Vaccine IM non-live Men Al(OH)3 -
  • Tetanus toxoid carrier protein
  • Sodium chloride
Men-C-C-TT
NIMENRIX® IM non-live Men - -
  • Tetanus toxoid carrier protein
  • Sucrose
  • Trometamol
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection
Men-C-ACYW-TT
NUVAXOVIDTM XBB.1.5 IM non-live SARS-CoV-2 Matrix-M -
  • Cholesterol
  • Disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate
  • Disodium hydrogen phosphate heptahydrate
  • Hydrochloric acid
  • Phosphatidylcholine
  • Potassium chloride
  • Potassium dihydrogen phosphate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate
  • Sodium hydroxide
  • Water for Injection
COVID-19
PEDIACEL® IM non-live
  • D
  • T
  • aP
  • IPV
  • Hib
AlPO4 PE
  • Neomycin
  • Polymyxin B
  • Streptomycin
  • Polysorbate 80 Footnote 2
  • Bovine serum albumin
  • Formaldehyde
  • Glutaraldehyde
DTaP-IPV-Hib
PNEUMOVAX® 23 SC/IM non-live Pneu - P -
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection
Pneu-P-23
PREHEVBRIOTM IM non-live HB Al(OH)3 - -
  • Disodium phosphate dodecahydrate
  • Hydrochloric acid
  • Potassium chloride
  • Potassium dihydrogen phosphate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sodium hydroxide
  • Water for injection
HB
Prevnar® 13 IM non-live Pneu AlPO4 -
  • Diphtheria CRM197 toxoid carrier protein
  • Polysorbate 80 Footnote 2
  • Sodium chloride
  • Succinic acid
  • Water for injection
Pneu-C-13
PREVNAR 20TM IM non-live Pneu AlPO4 -
  • Sodium chloride
  • Succinic acid
  • Water for injection
Pneu-C-20
PRIORIX® SC/IM live
  • Meas
  • Mumps
  • Rub
- -
  • Egg protein
  • Neomycin
  • Amino acids
  • Lactose
  • Mannitol
  • Sorbitol
  • Water for injection
MMR
PRIORIX-TETRA SC/IM live
  • Meas
  • Mumps
  • Rub
  • Var
- -
  • Egg protein
  • Neomycin
  • Amino Acids
  • Lactose
  • Mannitol
  • Sorbitol
  • Water for injection
MMRV
PROQUADTM SC live
  • Meas
  • Mumps
  • Rub
  • Var
- -
  • Gelatin
  • Neomycin
  • Chicken protein
  • Sucrose
  • Urea
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sorbitol
  • Monosodium L-glutamate
  • Sodium phosphate
  • Human albumin
MMRV
QUADRACEL® IM non-live
  • D
  • T
  • aP
  • IPV
AlPO4 PE
  • Bovine serum albumin
  • Formaldehyde
  • Glutaraldehyde
DTaP-IPV
RabAvert® IM non-live Rab - -
  • Amphotericin B
  • Chicken protein
  • Chlortetracycline
  • Neomycin
  • Polygeline (gelatin)
  • Egg protein
  • Human serum albumin
PCECV
RECOMBIVAX HB® IM non-live HB AAHS -
  • Latex in vial stopper
  • Yeast protein
  • Formaldehyde
  • Sodium borate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection
HB
ROTARIX® Oral live Rot - - -
  • Disodium adipate
  • DNA fragments from porcine circovirus 1
  • Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium
  • Sterile water
  • Sucrose
Rot-1
RotaTeq® Oral live Rot - -
  • DNA fragments from porcine circoviruses 1 and 2
  • Fetal bovine serum
  • Residual protein from cell culture
  • Sodium citrate dihydrate
  • Sodium hydroxide
  • Sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate
  • Sucrose
Rot-5
SHINGRIX IM non-live VZVgE AS01B -
  • Dipotassium phosphate
  • Sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate
  • Sucrose
  • Water for injection
RZV
SPIKEVAX® XBB.1.5 IM non-live SARS-CoV-2 - -
  • Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Footnote 2
  • Trometamol
  • Trometamol (hydrochloride)
  • Acetic acid
  • Cholesterol
  • DSPC (1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine)
  • Lipid SM-102
  • PEG2000-DMG (1,2-dimyristoyl-racglycerol, methoxy-polyethyleneglycol)
  • Sodium acetate trihydrate
  • Sucrose
  • Water for injection
COVID-19
SupemtekTM IM non-live Inf - -
  • Baculovirus and cellular DNA
  • Baculovirus and Spodoptera frugiperda cell proteins
  • Dibasic sodium phosphate
  • Monobasic sodium phosphate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Triton X-100
RIV4
SYNFLORIX® IM non-live Pneu AlPO4 -
  • Latex in syringe components
  • Diphtheria toxoid carrier protein
  • Tetanus toxoid carrier protein
  • Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D carrier protein
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection
Pneu-C-10
Td ADSORBED IM non-live
  • T
  • d
AlPO4 PE -
  • Formaldehyde
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection
Td
TRUMENBA® IM non-live Men B AlPO4 -
  • Histidine
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection
MenBf-HBP
TWINRIX®

IM

non-live

  • HA
  • HB

Al(OH)3, AlPO4

-
  • Neomycin
  • Yeast protein
  • Amino acids
  • Formaldehyde
  • Polysorbate 20
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection

HAHB

TWINRIX® Junior
TYPHIM Vi® IM non-live Typh - P -
  • Isotonic buffer solution
Typh-I
VAQTA® IM non-live HA AAHS -
  • Latex in vial stopper
  • Neomycin
  • Bovine albumin
  • DNA
  • Formaldehyde
  • Residual protein from cell culture
  • Sodium borate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection
HA
VARILRIX® SC live Var - -
  • Neomycin
  • Amino acids
  • Human albumin
  • Lactose
  • Polyalcohols
  • Water for injection
Var
VARIVAX® III SC live Var - -
  • Neomycin
  • Porcine gelatin
  • Fetal bovine serum
  • Monosodium L-glutamate
  • Potassium chloride
  • Potassium phosphate monobasic
  • Residual protein from cell culture
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sodium phosphate dibasic
  • Sucrose
  • Urea
  • Water for injection
Var
VAXCHORA® Oral live V. chol - - -
  • Ascorbic acid
  • Hydrolyzed casein
  • Lactose
  • Sodium bicarbonate
  • Sodium carbonate
  • Sucrose
Chol-O
VAXNEUVANCE® IM non-live Pneu AlPO4 -
  • L-histidine
  • Sodium chloride
  • Water for injection
Pneu-C-15
VAXZEVRIATM IM non-live SARS-CoV-2 - -
  • Disodium edetate dihydrate (EDTA)
  • Ethanol
  • L-Histidine
  • L-Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate
  • Magnesium chloride hexahydrate
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sucrose
  • Water for injection
COVID-19
Vivotif® Oral live Typh - -
  • Gelatin
  • Amino acid mixture
  • Ascorbic acid
  • Dibutyl phthalate
  • Diethyl phthalate
  • Erythrosine FD+C red 3
  • Ethylene glycol
  • Hydroxypropylcellulose-phthalate
  • Lactose
  • Magnesium stearate
  • Red iron oxide
  • Sucrose
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Yellow iron oxide
Typh-O
YF-VAX® SC live YF - -
  • Chicken protein
  • Egg protein
  • Gelatin
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sorbitol
YF
Footnote 1

Any component in a vaccine may be a potential allergen. This table identifies most common allergens; adjuvants and preservatives may be potential allergens, but this is extremely rare.

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

There is a potential of cross-reactive hypersensitivity between PEG and polysorbates. Therefore, individuals who are being administered a product that includes any one of these components as ingredients should be asked about any allergic reactions to either component.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

Multi-dose presentation only.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

Supplied in multiple presentations, each indicated for specific age groups and with varying dosage requirements.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Footnote 5

Sodium chloride is not present in the following formulations: COMIRNATY® (Original), COMIRNATY® Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5 vials with gray cap and label border (for 12 years of age and older), COMIRNATY® Omicron XBB.1.5 vials with gray cap and label border (for age 5 years to less than 12 years) and COMIRNATY® Omicron XBB.1.5 vials with blue cap and label border (for 12 years of age and older).

Return to footnote 5 referrer

Footnote 6

IMVAMUNE® is not available for general use.

Return to footnote 6 referrer

Footnote 7

Only used if gentamicin cannot be used. If not used, not present.

Return to footnote 7 referrer

Abbreviations

Route-

ID
intradermal
IM
intramuscular
IN
intranasal
SC
subcutaneous

Immunogen-

aP
acellular pertussis
ap
acellular pertussis (reduced)
BCG
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin
Chol
cholera
D
diphtheria
d
diphtheria (reduced)
Ecol
enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
EBOV
Ebola virus
Hib
Haemophilus influenzae type b
HA
hepatitis A
HB
hepatitis B
HPV
human papillomavirus
Inf
influenza
IPV
inactivated poliomyelitis
JE
Japanese encephalitis
Men
meningococcus
Men B
Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup B protein
Meas
measles
Mumps
mumps
Pneu
pneumococcus
Rab
rabies
Rot
rotavirus
RSV
respiratory syncytial virus
Rub
rubella
SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
T
tetanus
Typh
typhoid
V. chol
Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1
Var
varicella
YF
yellow fever

Adjuvant-

AAHS
amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate
Al(OH)3
Aluminum hydroxide
AlPO4
Aluminum phosphate
AS01B
3-O-desacyl-4'-monophosphoryl lipid A [MPL], Quillaja saponaria Molina, fraction 21 [QS-21], cholesterol, dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine [DOPC], disodium phosphate anhydrous, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, water for injection
AS01E
Quillaja saponaria Molina, fraction 21 (QS-21), 3-O-desacyl-4’-monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) from Salmonella minnesota, Dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, sodium chloride, disodium phosphate anhydrous, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, water for injection
AS04
3-O-desacyl-4'-monophosphoryl lipid A adsorbed onto aluminum (as hydroxide salt)
Matrix-M
Cholesterol, disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, phosphatidylcholine, potassium chloride, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride
MF59
squalene, polysorbate 80, sorbitan trioleate, sodium citrate, citric acid, water for injection

Preservative-

P
phenol
PE
2-phenoxyethanol
Tm
thimerosal
Table 2: Types and contents of passive immunizing agents authorized for use in Canada
Brand name Route Passive immunizing agent type Origin of antibodies Protects against or treats Preservative Potential allergens Other materials Abbreviation

A dash [ - ] indicates that there are no materials under that category in the product.

Antidiphtheria serumFootnote 1 IV Antitoxin Horse serum or Horse plasma D Type varies with supplier
  • Equine protein
  • Contents vary with supplier
DAT
BAT® Footnote 2 IV Antitoxin Horse plasma B -
  • Maltose
BAT
Baby BIG® Footnote 1 Footnote 2 IV Immunoglobulin Human plasma B - -
  • Human albumin
  • Sucrose
BIG-IV
BEYFORTUSTM
(nirsevimab)
IM Human monoclonal antibody Recombinant DNA technology RSV -
  • L-arginine hydrochloride
  • L-histidine
  • L-histidine hydrochloride
  • Sucrose
  • Water for injection
RSVAb
Cytogam® Footnote 4 IV Immunoglobulin Human plasma CMV - -
  • Human albumin
  • Sucrose
CMVIg
CNJ-016TM IV Immunoglobulin Human plasma Vac -
  • Maltose
  • Water for injection
VIG
EVUSHELDTM IM Anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies Recombinant DNA technology SARS-CoV-2 -
  • L-Histidine
  • L-Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate
  • Sucrose
  • Water for injection
-
GamaSTAN® S/D IM Immunoglobulin Human plasma HA
Meas
- -
  • Glycine
Ig
HepaGam B® IM/IV Immunoglobulin Human plasma HB -
  • Maltose
  • Tri-n-butyl phosphate
  • Triton®X-100
HBIg
HyperHEP B® S/D IM Immunoglobulin Human plasma HB - -
  • Glycine
HBIg
HYPERRAB® IM/ Local Immunoglobulin Human plasma Rab - -
  • Glycine
RabIg
HYPERTET® IM Immunoglobulin Human plasma Tet - -
  • Glycine
TIg
HYPERTET® S/D IM Immunoglobulin Human plasma Tet - -
  • Glycine
TIg
KamRABTM IM/ Local Immunoglobulin Human plasma Rab - -
  • Glycine
  • Sodium hydroxide
  • Water for injection
RabIg
SYNAGIS® (palivizumab) IM Humanized monoclonal antibody Recombinant DNA technology RSV - -
  • Chloride
  • Glycine
  • Histidine
  • Water for injection
RSVAb
VariZIG® TM IV/ IM Immunoglobulin Human plasma Var -
  • Glycine
  • Human plasma protein
  • Sodium chloride
  • Sodium phosphate
  • Tri-n-butyl phosphate
  • Triton®X-100
VarIg
Footnote 1

Only available on an emergency basis by application to Health Canada's Special Access Programme (SAP) (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/special-access/drugs.html). Public health should be contacted for assistance in obtaining these products. Information can also be obtained from the SAP website or by contacting the SAP office (telephone: 613-941-2108; fax: 613-941-3194; Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

For further information refer to Health Canada: Botulism - Guide for healthcare professionals at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/legislation-guidelines/guidance-documents/botulism-guide-healthcare-professionals-2012.html

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

There is a potential of cross-reactive hypersensitivity between PEG and polysorbates. Therefore, individuals who are being administered a product that includes any one of these components as ingredients. should be asked about any allergic reactions to either component.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

Should be used in consultation with a specialist in immunodeficiency.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Abbreviations:

Route-

IM
intramuscular
IV
intravenous
Local
local wound infiltration

Protects against or treats-

B
botulism
CMV
cytomegalovirus
D
diphtheria
HA
hepatitis A
HB
hepatitis B
Meas
measles
Rub
rubella
Rab
rabies
RSV
respiratory syncytial virus
SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
T
tetanus
Vac
vaccinia
Var
varicella

Preservative-

P
phenol

Selected references

  • Keith LS, Jones DE, Chou C. Aluminum toxicokinetics regarding infant diet and vaccinations. Vaccine 2002;20:S13-17.
  • Offit PA, Jew RK. Addressing parents' concerns: Do vaccines contain harmful preservatives, adjuvants, additives, or residuals? Pediatrics 2003;112:1394-97.

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