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New publicly funded pneumococcal vaccines and end of spring COVID-19 vaccine campaign

New publicly funded pneumococcal vaccines and end of spring COVID-19 vaccine campaign

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Halton Region Public Health: Office of the Medical Officer of Health

Quick facts

  • Ontario’s publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine program is transitioning to the following new pneumococcal vaccines:
    • Pneumococcal 15-valent conjugate (Pneu-C-15), Vaxneuvance®
    • Pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate (Pneu-C-20), Prevnar 20®
  • These two new pneumococcal conjugate vaccines will provide broader protection against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) compared to Pneu-C-13 and longer-term protection than Pneu-P-23, which are the two vaccines previously used in the Ontario publicly funded program.
  • There are no changes to the existing eligibility criteria for the publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine programs.
  • Return any unused Pneu-C-13 and Pneu-P-23 vaccines remaining in your vaccine fridge to Public Health once you have received doses of Pneu-C-15 and Pneu-C-20 vaccines.
  • Ontario’s Spring COVID-19 vaccine campaign has ended.

Key messages for healthcare providers

New publicly funded pneumococcal vaccines

  • There are three pneumococcal vaccine programs in Ontario:
    • Routine vaccination program for children aged 6 weeks to 4 years. Vaccine used for this population will transition from Pneu-C-13 to Pneu-C-15.
    • Routine vaccination program for individuals aged 65 years and older. Vaccine used for this population will transition from Pneu-P-23 to Pneu-C-20.
    • High risk vaccination program for individuals aged 6 weeks and older with certain medical or non-medical conditions who are at high risk for IPD. Vaccine used for this population will transition from Pneu-P-23 and Pneu-C-13 to Pneu-C-20.
  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are more immunogenic and provide longer-lasting protection than the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.
  • Pneu-P-23 vaccine will no longer be publicly funded as it is being replaced with the Pneu-C-20 vaccine.
  • Children and adults with incomplete immunization records, or no immunization records, should be considered unimmunized and should receive pneumococcal vaccines on a schedule appropriate to their age and risk factors, regardless of possible previous immunization.
  • Revaccination is currently not recommended if individuals have already received all publicly funded PneuC-13 and/or Pneu-P-23 vaccines.
  • Pneu-C-15 and Pneu-C-20 can be ordered through the online vaccine ordering form. When ordering the new pneumococcal vaccines, ensure you order enough doses to replace your existing stock of Pneu-C-13 and/or Pneu-P-23 vaccines.
  • Vaccines will be delivered according to the vaccine distribution schedule. Facilities can expect to receive the new pneumococcal vaccines starting July 16, 2024.
  • Once you have received Pneu-C-15 and Pneu-C-20 vaccines, return all existing stock of Pneu-C-13 and Pneu-P-23 vaccines in your fridge to Public Health following the protocol for vaccine wastage and returns. All returns must be accompanied by a completed Non-Reusable Vaccine Return Record (PDF file).
  • The Ministry of Health will post further information about the transition to new pneumococcal vaccines, including fact sheets and Q&A documents, on their website later this summer.

End of spring COVID-19 vaccination campaign

  • The COVID-19 Spring Vaccination campaign ended on June 30, 2024.
  • A longer interval between COVID-19 vaccine doses results in a more robust and durable immune response and higher vaccine effectiveness.
  • In anticipation that there will be another COVID-19 fall vaccination campaign announced for the 2024/2025 season, COVID-19 vaccines should not be administered at this time unless an individual has not been previously vaccinated against COVID-19 or they are specifically recommended to receive a dose by their health care provider.

Additional resources

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