Update on the publicly funded high-risk pneumococcal vaccine program

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: July 8, 2025
From: Dr. Laura Bourns, Deputy Medical Officer of Health
Subject: Update on the publicly funded high-risk pneumococcal vaccine program

Dear Colleagues,

The Ministry of Health has provided an update on the publicly funded high-risk pneumococcal vaccine program. The update applies to children (6 weeks to 17 years of age) who are at high risk for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)

Effective Immediately:

• Children 6 weeks to 17 years who are at high risk for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and who have completed their immunization series with the pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate (Pneu-C-13) vaccine, are now eligible for a single dose of the pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate (Pneu-C-20) vaccine.

The Ministry of Health has shared updated resource documents to summarize the program details including the addition of the enhanced pneumococcal vaccine program for high-risk groups. Please refer to the following documents for details:

• Health Care Provider Fact Sheet: Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines for Children Aged 6 Weeks to 17 Years
• Health Care Provider Fact Sheet: Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine for Adults Aged 18 Years and Older

A patient fact sheet is also available for use and dissemination:

• Vaccine Fact Sheet: Pneumococcal Vaccine Program for Individuals Aged 6 Weeks and Older

As of July 2024, Ontario’s publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine program transitioned to the following products:

NOTE: Pneu-C-20 (Prevnar 20TM) should NOT be used in the routine infant immunization series.

Providers can order Pneu-C-15 (Vaxneuvance®) and Pneu-C-20 (Prevnar 20TM) using the publicly funded vaccines for Ontario online order form.

Revised (July 9, 2025): Amended to include corrected links for Health Care provider Fact Sheets.