Immunization schedule updates: Meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccines

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To: Local Health System Partners

Key updates

Ontario is implementing changes to its publicly funded meningococcal and pneumococcal immunization schedules.

Meningococcal program update

Due to the discontinuation of meningococcal serogroup type C (Men-C-C) vaccines, Ontario is transitioning to meningococcal serogroup type A, C, Y and W (Men-C-ACYW) for routine immunization at 12 months of age.

Health care providers are encouraged to

• Administer existing Men-C-C vaccine inventory until depleted or expired.
• Administer Men-C-ACYW at 12 months once Men-C-C is no longer available.
• Continue the routine Grade 7 Men-C-ACYW program.

Important: No catch-up dose is recommended for children who previously received Men-C-C as Men-C-C remains the preferred vaccine for that age group. The change is due only to discontinuation of that product.

Pneumococcal program update

Effective August 17, 2026, Ontario will transition the routine pneumococcal program for adults 65 years of age and older from pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate vaccine (Pneu-C-20, Prevnar 20®) to the pneumococcal 21-valent conjugate vaccine (Pneu-C-21, Capvaxive®). The Invasive Pneumococcal Disease serotypes contained in Pneu-C-21 are better aligned with recent Ontario epidemiology and this vaccine is expected to provide a little broader protection.

Health care providers are encouraged to

• Administer Capvaxive® to eligible adults 65 years of age and older beginning August 17, 2026.
• Continue to follow current publicly funded eligibility criteria.
• Continue using Prevnar 20® for eligible high-risk individuals 6 weeks to 64 years of age.

Important: Revaccination with Pneu-C-21 is not recommended for individuals who have previously received an eligible publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine.

Resources

Vaccine resources for professionals (Ontario Government)

For further questions, please contact the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sincerely,

Original Signed By

M. Mustafa Hirji, MD, MPH, FRCPC
Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer