Pneumococcal Disease, Invasive

Who is at risk and eligible:

High risk groups: Anyone can get pneumococcal disease but there are certain groups who are at higher risk and FREE vaccine protection is recommended:

• 65 plus: All individuals 65 years and older if they have not already had the vaccine.
• Any age with specific medical condition: Individuals of any age with chronic disease, including heart disease, lung disease, kidney or liver disease or who have certain medical conditions, are also eligible for a dose of the vaccine. This includes anyone who may have weakened immune system or is immunocompromised. See the full list below.

• 65 plus with underlying medical condition: Individuals who are 65 years or older who also have a chronic disease or an underlying medical condition are eligible to receive a second dose if it has been at least one year since their first dose.
• Infants and young children: Parents and guardians are recommended to keep all vaccines up to date as protection against pneumococcal infection is available to infants and children in the routine vaccines given between 2 and 12 months.

Questions about eligibility

• Talk to your health care provider or call TBDHU at 807-625-5900 (toll free 1-888-294-6630; nearest branch office) with any questions about eligibility.

Getting vaccinated:

• Recommended: Those who are at higher risk and unsure if they are completely protected are recommended to make an appointment to get vaccine.
• Available  year round: Unlike other respiratory illness vaccines, this vaccine is available year round.
• How to get vaccinated:
  • Provider: Talk to your health care provider
  • TBDHU: Book an appointment in a TBDHU clinic - visit TBDHU.com/vaxclinics and make an appointment at a TBDHU clinic.

NOTE: The vaccine is available at pharmacies for those who are eligible (as listed above) but there is a cost and a prescription from a health care provider is required. 

More information:

• Parent fact sheet: See the fact sheet from Ontario’s Well Child Tool Kit (PDF).
• 6 months and older fact sheet: See the fact sheet from the Ontario Ministry of Health (PDF).
• Caring for Kids website: Visit the Canadian Paediatric Society’s website for families for more information on pneumococcal infections.

Pneumococcal disease:

• Caused by bacteria: Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus Pneumoniae that are commonly found in the nose and throat of healthy adults and children but do not cause infections most of the time. 
  • However, the bacteria can get into unusual places such as the ear, sinuses, lungs, brain or the bloodstream. 
• Invasive disease: When the bacteria invade the lungs, brain or bloostream, the infection is called invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), otherwise known as “Strep Pneumo” 
  • This can then develop into pneumonia (lung), meningitis (brain) or bacteremia (blood) and cause long term health issues such as brain damage, hearing loss, limb loss, or even death. 
• How it spreads: The bacteria are spread through droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing, the saliva (spit) of an infected person (kissing, sharing drinks or cigarettes) or touching objects that were exposed to the bacteria (shared cups, toys) and then rubbing the eyes, nose or mouth.

Increase in local cases:

• Cases increasing since 2023: During the pandemic the rates of invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) were low, but started to increase in 2023; 63 cases in 2023, 77 cases in 2024 and 95 cases so far in 2025.

Questions?

• Disease questions: Call the Infectious Disease (ID) Program at 807-625-8318 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630.
• Vaccine questions: Call the Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Program at 807- 625-5908 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630.
   

This page provides basic information only. It must not take the place of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to a health care professional about any health concerns

For Further Information

Call the Infectious Disease Program: (807) 625-5900

or toll-free 1-888-294-6630