Medical Advisory: Adult Pneumococcal Vaccine Program Changes

This memo is to inform you of upcoming changes to Ontario’s publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine program. As of August 17th, 2026 routine immunization for  individuals 65 years of age and older will transition to the pneumococcal 21-valent conjugate vaccine (Pneu-C-21, Capvaxive).

Pneu-C-21, is expected to provide broader protection against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) compared to the Pneu-C-20 vaccine for individuals 65 years of age and older.

Please note that eligibility criteria for publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine programs are not otherwise changing, and re-vaccination is not part of the product transition to Pneu-C-21 vaccine (i.e., if a dose of publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine was previously received re-vaccination with publicly funded Pneu-C-21 vaccine is not part of eligibility).

Pneu-C-20 (Prevnar 20) will continue to be the publicly funded pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for high-risk individuals 6 weeks to 64 years of age.

Please see Table 1 below for a summary of current publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine programs.

For additional information, including Pneu-C-21 fact sheets, please visit http://www.hamilton.ca/HCP

To order vaccine, please use our routine order form available at www.hamilton.ca/Vaccine-HealthCareProfessionals.

Please Note: The new Pneu-C-21 product is expected to arrive the week of August 10th, 2026 for distribution across the community.

Table 1: Updated Publicly Funded Pneumococcal Vaccine Products