World Pneumonia Day: Supporting Vaccination Efforts Across Canada

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

This World Pneumonia Day, we highlight the importance of vaccination and the crucial role of awareness in boosting vaccine uptake.

As we mark World Pneumonia Day, we reflect on this significant health issue as pneumonia is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in Canada^[1]. Pneumococcus is the most common cause of community acquired bacterial pneumonia and can be serious^[2].

As is the case with many common health issues and risks, our older adult population is among the most in need of proactive prevention and awareness. As we age, our immune system naturally weakens, making it harder to fight off infections and diseases^[3]. This, combined with underlying health conditions that are common in older adults such as heart disease or diabetes, significantly increases the risk of severe pneumococcal disease. As per 2020 data, 73% of Canadians aged 65 years and older report having at least one of 10 common diseases including hypertension (65.7%), diabetes (26.8%), COPD (20.2%), heart disease (27%) and cancer (21.5%)^[4].

Yet there is a significant gap in Canada between the high risk of pneumococcal disease among the older adult population and the uptake of vaccination, which has been shown to help protect against pneumococcal pneumonia^[5]. As of 2021, only 54% of Canada's older adult population (those aged 65 years and older) had received a pneumococcal vaccine^[6]. This is well below the national goal of 80% for adults 65 years and older by 2025^[7]. This vaccination uptake target is rooted in the need to protect all Canadians, particularly those highly vulnerable to infections and subsequent medical complications arising from pneumococcal pneumonia^[8].

Potential barriers to the uptake of pneumococcal vaccine include perceptions that the pneumococcal vaccine is unnecessary, and lack of awareness about the availability of pneumococcal vaccines^[9],[10]. Addressing these misconceptions and increasing awareness – on World Pneumonia Day and beyond – are a significant factor in helping to improve vaccination rates. Boosting pneumococcal vaccination rates is a positive step towards improving individual and community health^[11].

Thankfully, many Canadian organizations are committed to tackling these challenges:

• In February 2023, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommended pneumococcal vaccination with a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for all adults aged 65 and over, and for those at increased risk^[12].

• Many provincial and territorial authorities across Canada have announced improved access to pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, providing them in publicly funded immunization programs for the older adult and high-risk populations.

• Organizations such as Canada’s national seniors’ advocacy organization (CanAge) and the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) advocate for increased vaccination rates, providing information and resources to the Canadian population.

  • CanAge’s vaccine report card raises difficult questions about the country's preparedness to tackle ongoing and upcoming health concerns, while underscoring the importance of vaccines for individuals, public health and the economy.

  • CARP is on a mission to Keep Canada Healthy by raising awareness and by inviting the older adult population to protect themself and their loved ones against preventable illnesses.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to help prevent this infectious disease and is especially critical for those most at risk^[13]. Remember, vaccination not only protects the individual but also contributes to community immunity, reducing the overall spread of the disease^[14].

Pfizer takes pride in supporting vaccination efforts across Canada and remains committed to backing action and innovation in the prevention of pneumococcal pneumonia.



[1] NCBI. Estimating population-based incidence of community-acquired pneumonia. Accessed September 2024 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9240885/
[2] Cleveland Clinic. Pneumococcal Disease. Accessed August 2024 at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24231-pneumococcal-disease
[3] Gilmour, H. 2024. Factors associated with shingles and pneumococcal vaccination among older Canadians. Statistics Canada. Accessed August 2024 at www.doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x202400100002-eng
[4] Government of Canada. Aging and chronic diseases: A profile of Canadian seniors. Accessed August 2024 at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/aging-chronic-diseases-profile-canadian-seniors-report.html
[5] Government of Canada. Pneumococcal vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide. Accessed September 2024 at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-16-pneumococcal-vaccine.html  
[6] Government of Canada. Vaccine uptake in Canadian adults 2021. Accessed August 2024 at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization-vaccines/vaccination-coverage/highlights-2020-2021-seasonal-influenza-survey/full-report.html#a5.4
[7] Government of Canada. Vaccination Coverage Goals and Vaccine Preventable Disease Reduction Targets by 2025. Accessed August 2024 at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization-vaccine-priorities/national-immunization-strategy/vaccination-coverage-goals-vaccine-preventable-diseases-reduction-targets-2025.html#1.1.2
[8] Government of Canada. Vaccination Coverage Goals and Vaccine Preventable Disease Reduction Targets by 2025. Accessed August 2024 at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization-vaccine-priorities/national-immunization-strategy/vaccination-coverage-goals-vaccine-preventable-diseases-reduction-targets-2025.html#1.1.2
[9] National Institute on Ageing. Why Are So Many People Dying of a Preventable Disease in Canada. Accessed August 2024 at https://www.niageing.ca/commentary-posts/why-are-so-many-canadians-dying-preventable-disease
[10] Government of Canada. Vaccine uptake in Canadian adults 2021. Accessed August 2024 at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization-vaccines/vaccination-coverage/highlights-2020-2021-seasonal-influenza-survey/full-report.html#a5.4
[11] Government of Canada. Vaccination coverage in Canada. Accessed August 2024 at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization-vaccines/vaccination-coverage.html
[12] Government of Canada. Pneumococcal vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide. Accessed June 2024 at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-16-pneumococcal-vaccine.html
[13] Government of Canada. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Canadian Immunization Guide. Accessed August 2024 at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/respiratory-syncytial-virus.html
[14] Government of Canada. Vaccination coverage in Canada. Accessed August 2024 at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization-vaccines/vaccination-coverage.html