Pediacel – An ethical viral vaccine for infants coming soon.
Elsa Van Laar

The January/February 2007 issue of LifeCanada News reported that a number of routine childhood and adult viral vaccines are manufactured using cell strains derived from aborted fetuses.

Standard infant vaccine Pentacel found to be abortion-tainted

For almost a decade, Pentacel was the gold-standard vaccine given to infants and young children to protect them from tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus infl uenza B. Th e polio components of the combination vaccine are grown in cell strains derived from aborted fetuses. LifeCanada News readers were asked to visit the LifeCanada website to familiarize themselves with the issue, and then contact government and public health officials, urging them to provide an ethical alternative to Pentacel.

An ethical alternative

Pediacel is an ethical alternative to Pentacel, equal in safety as well as effectiveness in protecting against the same diseases, but without any components made using fetal tissue. Since Pediacel had already been approved for use in Canada, provincial governments were encouraged to purchase it and make it available to Canadians as part of the routine immunization schedule. To date all the provinces except Quebec have awarded the provincial vaccine contracts to manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur for Pediacel to replace Pentacel. Quebec’s vaccine contract is set to close in August 2007. Because Pediacel formulation makes it easier to administer than Pentacel,
Quebec health offi cials are also expected to support the purchase of Pediacel in their province. We would like to think that all those who contacted their governments also played a role in convincing them to switch to Pediacel, and we are grateful for their efforts!

Pediacel to replace Pentacel starting this Fall

A spokesperson from pharmaceutical manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur confirmed that while the Pediacel “roll-out” is set to begin in October, 2007, the actual start dates may vary from province to province. Some provinces may chose to use up the existing supply of Pentacel fi rst, while others are set to make the switch as soon as Pediacel is available.

Parents should contact local public health units to inquire when Pediacel will be available for their children. Contact information for provincial health departments has been posted on the LifeCanada website under the Viral Vaccines Educational Campaign section at: www.lifecanada.org.

More work is needed

While Pediacel is a big step in the right direction, it is just one step. Other routine childhood and adult viral vaccines are also manufactured using aborted fetal tissue. For most, alternatives are not available in Canada or even world-wide. The dilemma is compounded when vaccines are combined together for ease, compliance and efficiency. When one component of a combination vaccine is “abortion-tainted” it becomes impossible to avoid without rejecting the whole vaccine, thus leaving the child or adult unprotected against specific diseases.

In addition, because fetal cell strains are recognized as a versatile and efficient “manufacturing platform”, they are poised to take over in research and in the production of many pharmaceutical agents besides vaccines.

LifeCanada will continue to investigate the use of aborted fetal tissue in viral vaccines and in other common pharmaceutical agents. Updates will be provided as they become available, both in LifeCanada News and on our website. We ask that our readers continue to spread the word on this issue. It is essential that people be informed about the use of aborted fetal tissue in pharmaceutical products and that they are encouraged to request ethical alternatives from their regional health authorities. Increased demand for alternative products is important in convincing health departments to provide what ethical products are available.

Elsa Van Laar is the Manitoba representative for the board of LifeCanada.