Pneumococcal
Pneumococcal
PREVNAR 20 · VAXNEUVANCE · CAPVAXIVE
Infant series, and one dose for adults 65 and older or at higher risk. Every product below is a Health Canada authorized vaccine; every schedule comes from the Canadian Immunization Guide.
Products authorized in Canada
Brand names and DINs (Drug Identification Numbers) as Health Canada's Drug Product Database lists them. The product monograph is the manufacturer's full prescribing information approved by Health Canada.
| Product | DIN | What it is | Presentation and age | Official information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PREVNAR 20 | 02527049 | Pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate (Pneu-C-20) | 0.5 mL · suspension · intramuscular · 6 weeks and older | Product guideHealth Canada recordProduct monograph (PDF) |
| VAXNEUVANCE | 02522403 | Pneumococcal 15-valent conjugate (Pneu-C-15) | 0.5 mL · suspension · intramuscular · 6 weeks and older | Product guideHealth Canada recordProduct monograph (PDF) |
| CAPVAXIVE | 02549891 | Pneumococcal 21-valent conjugate (Pneu-C-21) | 0.5 mL · solution · intramuscular · 18 years and older | Product guideHealth Canada recordProduct monograph (PDF) |
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy
Recommended for people at high risk of pneumococcal disease.
Breastfeeding
Recommended for people at high risk of pneumococcal disease.
Source: Immunization in pregnancy and breastfeeding: Canadian Immunization Guide — Chapter updated August 2026. Live vaccines are generally contraindicated in pregnancy; routinely recommended vaccines can be given while breastfeeding unless the chapter says otherwise.
How many doses
The schedules the Canadian Immunization Guide describes for this vaccine. Which one applies depends on age, health and product — use the dose planner to see the dates for your situation.
| Schedule | Doses | Who it is for | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pneumococcal conjugate — healthy infant, three doses (2 + 1) Two doses at 2 and 4 months plus a booster at 12 months. | 3 doses | Routine schedule for healthy infants in provinces using a 2 + 1 series, including Ontario: doses at 2 and 4 months, then a booster at 12 months of age. Minimum 8 weeks between doses; the booster is not given before 12 months of age. Infants with risk factors need the four-dose (3 + 1) schedule. | PREVNAR 20, VAXNEUVANCE |
| Pneumococcal conjugate — higher-risk infant, four doses (3 + 1) Three doses at 2, 4 and 6 months plus a booster at 12 to 15 months. | 4 doses | For infants with immunocompromising conditions, chronic heart, lung, kidney or liver disease, cochlear implants, CSF leak, sickle cell disease or asplenia, and premature infants: doses at 2, 4 and 6 months followed by a booster at 12 to 15 months. Minimum 8 weeks between doses; the booster is not given before 12 months of age. | PREVNAR 20, VAXNEUVANCE |
| Pneumococcal conjugate — adults 65 and older, one dose One dose of Pneu-C-20 or Pneu-C-21 for all adults 65 years and older. | 1 dose | All adults 65 years and older: one dose of Pneu-C-20 or Pneu-C-21 regardless of earlier pneumococcal vaccination, given at least 1 year after any previous Pneu-C-13, Pneu-C-15 or Pneu-P-23 dose (8 weeks in some circumstances). No further doses are currently recommended. | PREVNAR 20, CAPVAXIVE |
| Pneumococcal conjugate — adults 18 to 64 with risk factors, one dose One dose of Pneu-C-20 or Pneu-C-21 for adults 18 to 64 with a condition that raises the risk of pneumococcal disease. | 1 dose | Adults 18 to 64 with immunocompromising conditions (HIV, asplenia, transplant, cancer, immunosuppressive therapy) or other risk factors for invasive pneumococcal disease (chronic heart, lung, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, alcohol use disorder, cochlear implant, CSF leak): one dose at least 8 weeks after any earlier pneumococcal vaccine. Stem-cell transplant recipients need a three-dose series plus booster instead. | PREVNAR 20, CAPVAXIVE |
Sources
- Pneumococcal vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide — Chapter revised May 2024 · partial update July 2026
- Health Canada Drug Product Database — product records and monographs
Clinical rules reviewed on 2026-09-27. General information from public Canadian guidance; a personal assessment is needed for treatment decisions. Care365 does not decide whether a vaccine is publicly funded in Ontario.