Adults 65 and older who have never had a pneumococcal vaccine can get one under publicly funded programs in every province and territory, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), though the product used and the fine print differ by jurisdiction.
PHAC lists the programs for healthy adults on a page last updated Aug. 6, 2026. Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria that can lead to pneumonia, bloodstream infections and meningitis, and older adults are among those at higher risk.
The shots on offer are conjugate vaccines, labelled Pneu-C-20 and Pneu-C-21 in the PHAC listing, and an older polysaccharide vaccine called Pneu-P-23. Most provinces now use Pneu-C-20. Saskatchewan and Quebec list Pneu-C-21.
The most common rule is simple: the program is aimed at people 65 and older who have not already received certain pneumococcal vaccines. The details of what counts as a prior dose vary, and that is where eligibility can change from one province to the next.
| Province or territory | Vaccine listed | Who is eligible, per PHAC |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Pneu-C-20 | 65 and older who have never received a dose of Pneu-P-23, Pneu-C-20 or Pneu-C-21 |
| Alberta | Pneu-C-20 | 65 and older; high-risk individuals |
| Saskatchewan | Pneu-C-21 | 65 and older who have never received any pneumococcal vaccine |
| Manitoba | Pneu-C-20 | 65 and older who have never received Pneu-P-23 |
| Ontario | Pneu-C-20 | 65 and older who have never received Pneu-P-23 |
| Quebec | Pneu-C-21 | 65 and older who have not received Pneu-P-23 at or after age 65, or Pneu-C-20 or Pneu-C-21 at any age |
| New Brunswick | Pneu-C-20 | 65 and older who have never received Pneu-P-23 |
| Nova Scotia | Pneu-C-20 | 65 and older who have never received Pneu-P-23 |
| Prince Edward Island | Pneu-C-20 | 65 and older; high-risk individuals |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Pneu-C-20 | 65 and older; high-risk individuals |
| Yukon | Pneu-C-20 | 65 and older; high-risk individuals |
| Northwest Territories | Pneu-C-20 | 65 and older; high-risk individuals |
| Nunavut | Pneu-C-20 | 50 and older |
Nunavut has the lowest age threshold in the PHAC listing, at 50.
The table covers healthy adults. Younger adults with certain medical conditions, and some children, may also qualify under separate rules. PHAC’s page does not spell those out, and provinces set them individually.
New Brunswick publishes its own page on the Pneu-C-20 vaccine. It says the vaccine is free under the provincial immunization program for people 65 and older who have not had a pneumococcal vaccine, for adults 18 and older with specific health conditions or environmental risk factors, and for high-risk infants and children.
In that province, adults 65 and older can book through a primary care provider, the provincial scheduler or a local pharmacy. Adults under 65 can go through a primary care provider or the scheduler. People without a New Brunswick Medicare card are directed to call 1-833-437-1424.
The province’s page also notes that multiple vaccines can be given at the same time without reducing their effectiveness. That can matter this time of year, when many people are lining up for flu and COVID-19 shots.
Ontario’s Ministry of Health has also published a fact sheet for health-care providers on the pneumococcal vaccine for adults 18 and older, dated July 31, 2026.
PHAC’s page does not give prices, booking steps or clinic dates for most provinces, and those details can change. People who are unsure whether a past pneumococcal shot affects their eligibility can check their immunization record or ask a pharmacist or public health office.
This article is based on official guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Government of New Brunswick and is provided for general public information. It’s not a substitute for medical advice, if you have questions about how this applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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Sources: Public Health Agency of Canada, provincial and territorial routine vaccination programs for healthy, previously immunized adults; Government of New Brunswick, Pneu-C-20 vaccine.
