New Vaccines

Click here to download the new vaccine order form.

Pentacel (DTaP-IPV-Hib), is a new combination vaccine approved for the primary series and booster dose (doses 1-4) of the component antigens. Although Pentacel is licensed by the FDA for the fourth dose in the DTaP/IPV/Hib series, VFC providers should not use it for the fourth dose until they are informed by NM VFC of further improvement in the Hib vaccine supply. Pentacel is not indicated for children 5 years of age and older. See also the Pentacel Guidance from CDC for more information.

Please remember that a national Hib shortage continues to be in effect, and likely will continue until the 4th quarter of 2008. This means that NM will continue to have a Hib allocation in place until the national supply increases. Our state Hib allocation now will include Pentacel, ActHib, and PedvaxHib, all in limited amounts. Because some of our (and all states') allocated Hib does will now be made available as part of the Pentacel combination, our single antigen ActHib allocation has been reduced until the national Hib shortage is resolved. We will do our best to accomocate your request for ActHib or Pentacel, but may need at times to modify your order based on the constraints of our state Hib allocations.

Kinrix is a combined DTaP-IPV vaccine approved for the booster dose of these antigens at 4-6 years of age.

HPV, Human Papilloma Virus vaccine (brand name Gardasil) C the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer, precancerous genital lesians, and genital warts due to HPV. HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted infection in the U.S., and the leading cause of cervical cancer in women. HPV patient brochures in English and Spanish are available for downloading.The New Mexico Medical Society HPV Vaccine Fact Sheet provides detailed information on its use. Three 0.5 ml doses should be delivered through a series of intra-muscular injections over a six-month period. The second and third doses should be given two and six months after the first dose. New Mexico VFC HPV vaccine use is currently recommended for girls 11 to 12 years old, and may be given to girls up to 18 years of age, based upon the clinical judgement of physicians. HPV vaccine is stored in the refrigerator. The New Mexico HPV Administration Guidelines provide guidance for clinical decisions on which patients should receive HPV vaccine .

Rotavirus Vaccines

Rotarix & RotaTeq are live oral vaccines that protect against rotavirus infection, a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in children. They are refrigerator stable (350 to 460 F). Rotarix has a 2-dose schedule to be given at 2 and 4 months of age. Rotateq has a 3-dose schedule to be given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. They may be administered with DTaP, inactivated poliomyelitis (IPV), Hib, hepatitis B vaccine, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Rotarix requires reconstitution and is delivered orally with a syringe; Rotateq is fully liquid and ready for oral administration.

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine

Menactra, the new meningococcal conjugate vaccine, has been approved by the FDA. See the New Mexico Medical Society Quadrivalent Meningococcal Polysaccharide-Protein Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4) Fact Sheet for more information on its use and administration.

Adolescent Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Booster (Tdap)

See the New Mexico Medical Society Tdap Vaccine Fact Sheet for information on Tdap use and administration.

July 2008: At the beginning of the 2008-09 school year, students entering seventh grade will be required to have the Tdap vaccine if it has been at least five years since they have had a tetanus-containing vaccine.

Boostrix and ADACEL, the new tetanus, diphtheria, & pertussis booster vaccines (Tdap), will replace the tetanus & diphtheria booster (Td) that children (and adults) have received in the past. Boostrix was approved by the FDA for children 10-18 years of age, while ADACEL is indicated for individuals 11-64 years of age. Recommended groups to receive VFC vaccine include:

  • 11-12 yr olds at their pre-adolescent visit.
  • Adolescents of any age if more than10 years has elapsed since the last DTaP, DTP, DT, or Td vaccination.

Adult recommendations have not yet been made.

Both of these vaccine are now available from the VFC Program and it's use should be restricted to the above ACIP recommended groups. Click below for additional information.