Adult Pneumococcal Vaccine Program Changes

To: Health Care Professionals in Niagara
From: Clinical Services Division, Niagara Region Public Health
Reference: Adult Pneumococcal Vaccine Program Changes
Date: August 6, 2026

Beginning August 17, 2026, Ontario's pneumococcal vaccine program is expected to transition to Capvaxive® (a pneumococcal 21-valent conjugate vaccine) for routine pneumococcal vaccination of eligible adults 65 years and older.

Eligibility for individuals not at increased risk is not changing. If an individual 65 years and older has already received a routine dose of pneumococcal vaccine (e.g. Prevnar 20®), they are not eligible for revaccination with Capvaxive®.

What Product Should Be Used?

Adults 65 years and older: Capvaxive®
Individuals 6 weeks to 64 years of age who meet high-risk criteria: Prevnar 20®
Children 6 weeks to 4 years of age at low risk for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD): Vaxneuvance®

See the following Ministry Pneumococcal Conjugate fact sheets for program information and schedules (including high-risk patient information based on age):

Children Aged 6 Weeks to 17 Years
Adults Aged 18 Years and Older

Capvaxive® Packaging

Available as a 0.5 mL single dose prefilled syringe
Package (of 10) size: 11.4 x 5.2 x 12.4 cm
Product will be distributed once Public Health receives inventory

Health Care Provider Action

Once Capvaxive® is available, use it for eligible adults 65 years of age and older. Reserve existing Prevnar 20® supply for patients who meet the high-risk criteria.
- If this individual has received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and is 65 years and older, they are eligible for Capvaxive® to complete their high-risk series. Refer to the Ministry fact sheet for more information.
Health care providers should consider an individual’s complete pneumococcal immunization history when determining whether additional doses are recommended

Office Staff Action

Updated vaccine orders will be posted to the website and will display “August 2026” in the footer once available. In the meantime, the current forms may be used to order the vaccines below. Once Capvaxive® is available, Public Health will use it to fill orders for those 65 years and older:
- The Vaccine Order Form for Physicians and Primary Care can be used to order Capvaxive® (Pneu-C-21) and Vaxneuvance® (Pneu-C-15)
- The High-Risk Vaccine Order Form can be used to order Prevnar 20® (note: this vaccine order form is being updated to state “Pneumococcal 20-valent Conjugate for individuals 6 weeks to 64 years of age”)
A Ministry vaccine fact sheet for patients is available for use

For More Information

Call 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7396