Did you know that unlike vaccinations for COVID or seasonal flu, which must be updated annually, a single pneumococcal vaccine can provide many years of protection?
Getting a pneumococcal vaccine is a no-brainer. Especially for older adults, who are at greater risk of serious impacts from pneumococcal disease, which includes pneumonia. Each year, too many seniors are hospitalized or pass away because of this illness. In fact, in Canada, pneumonia and influenza are the eighth leading cause of death. That’s a big toll on our health system and on the health and well-being of older Canadians who are most vulnerable to this disease.
The good news? Vaccination can drastically reduce the risk of this disease.
However, while every province and territory currently offers free pneumococcal vaccination for adults aged 65 and older, most don’t provide the newest approved vaccines. This is concerning given that newly approved pneumococcal vaccines, specifically designed for older adults, offer broader protection.
Surely Canada can do better. CARP members think so. In a recent survey by CARP, (https://www.carp.ca/2024/02/03/180901/), over 90% of respondents said they want the federal and provincial/territorial governments to fund and encourage greater use of pneumococcal vaccines, including new ones.
Provincial governments need to step up quickly and invest to make the latest expert-recommended pneumococcal vaccines available to all older Canadians. Provinces should not drag their feet when it comes to protecting older Canadians.
“It’s important that all Canadian seniors have access to updated versions of these key vaccines so they can have maximum protection to avoid serious illness and burdens on our health system,” said Bill VanGorder, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer of CARP. “Getting the best vaccines to as many Canadian seniors as possible should be one of our top healthcare priorities.”
We all need to do our part to stay protected. Take action by contacting your provincial health minister on CARP’s website: www.carp.ca/vaccine/action
