Pneumococcal disease continues to be one of the most serious health threats for older adults in Canada. With rising rates of chronic conditions and the ongoing challenge of antibiotic resistance, ensuring widespread vaccine access has never been more important.
A new policy brief prepared by the Pneumonia Awareness Consortium, in collaboration with the Society for Intelligence Management (SIM) Canada, sheds light on this urgent issue and presents actionable recommendations for improving vaccine access and coverage.
Why It Matters
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High Risk for Older Adults: Pneumococcal disease often leads to hospitalization, long-term frailty, and even death among those 65 and older or individuals with chronic conditions.
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Low Vaccination Rates: Despite national goals of 80% coverage, only 38.5% of at-risk adults aged 18–64 and 62.8% of those 80+ were vaccinated during the 2023–2024 season.
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Economic and Social Impact: Beyond healthcare costs, pneumococcal disease can accelerate decline in independence, exacerbate chronic diseases, and increase social isolation.
Key Highlights from the Brief
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Newer Vaccines Are More Effective: Vaccines such as PCV20 and PCV21 offer broader protection and better cost-effectiveness than earlier options.
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Beyond Respiratory Health: Evidence shows pneumococcal vaccination may also reduce cardiovascular risks, including heart attacks and strokes.
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Education is Essential: With vaccine hesitancy on the rise, clear communication, workforce training, and public outreach are critical to ensuring older adults receive protection.
The brief concludes that pneumococcal vaccination is one of the most underused tools to protect older Canadians—not only preventing infections but also strengthening overall population health resilience. Expanding access and awareness is essential to safeguarding independence and quality of life as Canada’s population ages.
👉 Read the full policy brief here: Supporting Access to Better Pneumococcal Vaccines for Older Adult Canadians (PDF)