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                                                FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(3)
                                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-8851
 
                        PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NUMBER SIX
       (TO PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 5, 1996, AS AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED)
 
                                U.S.$86,250,000
                          NORTH AMERICAN VACCINE, INC.
              6.50% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE MAY 1, 2003
 
     This Prospectus Supplement supplements information contained in that
certain Prospectus dated November 5, 1996, as amended or supplemented (the
"Prospectus"), relating to the potential sale from time to time of up to
$86,250,000 aggregate amount of Notes and the Common Shares issuable upon
conversion thereof by the Selling Holders. This Prospectus Supplement is not
complete without, and may not be delivered or utilized except in connection
with, the Prospectus, including any amendments or supplements thereto.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to such
terms in the Prospectus.
 
     The following table supplements the information set forth in the Prospectus
under the caption "Selling Holders" with respect to the Selling Holders and the
respective principal amounts of Offered Securities beneficially owned by such
Selling Holder that may be offered pursuant to the Prospectus:
 
                                                                       
    ZENECA Holdings Trust.....................     450,000      450,000      18,103      18,103
    Delaware PERS.............................   1,000,000    1,000,000      40,229      40,229

    
 
     All information provided in this Prospectus Supplement is as of a recent
practicable date.
 
          THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS DECEMBER 15, 1997.