KIRKLAND, Québec, Canada, July 29, 2026
Pfizer Canada ULC announced that PREVNAR 20™, its 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, has been selected for Québec’s publicly funded pediatric pneumococcal immunization program. Since May 2026, infants across Québec have been routinely offered PREVNAR 20™ through the provincial immunization program, making Québec the second Canadian province, after British Columbia, to introduce the vaccine into its routine pediatric vaccination schedule. The decision follows recommendations from the Comité sur l’immunisation du Québec, which identified PREVNAR 20™ as the preferred vaccine for the routine immunization of infants and children due to its broadest serotype coverage against severe pneumococcal disease. The expanded public access is expected to strengthen disease prevention efforts and improve protection against serious bacterial infections in children.
PREVNAR 20 Expands Protection Against Severe Pneumococcal Disease
PREVNAR 20™ is designed to protect against 20 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, including seven additional serotypes beyond those covered by PREVNAR 13™. These additional serotypes are associated with higher case-fatality rates, antibiotic resistance, meningitis, and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Pneumococcal infections remain a major cause of illness in young children, leading to life-threatening conditions such as sepsis, meningitis, bacteremic pneumonia, and pleural empyema, while also placing a significant burden on healthcare systems. By incorporating PREVNAR 20™ into Québec’s routine immunization schedule, the province aims to provide infants and children with broader protection against severe pneumococcal infections through a publicly funded vaccination program.
Public Health Experts Highlight Benefits of Preventive Vaccination
Healthcare experts welcomed Québec’s decision, emphasizing the importance of immunization in reducing severe childhood illnesses and hospitalizations. Dr. John Yaremko, Assistant Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Family Medicine at McGill University, stated that preventive vaccination is fundamental to building a sustainable healthcare system by protecting children from common but potentially serious infections while easing pressure on families, pediatricians, and primary healthcare services. Pierre-Alexandre Landry, Vice President of Access & Value at Pfizer Canada, said the company applauds Québec for joining British Columbia in offering infants access to the highest-valent pediatric pneumococcal conjugate vaccine currently available. He added that Pfizer will continue working with provincial governments across Canada to improve equitable access to advanced pneumococcal vaccination programs.
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Pfizer Strengthens Pediatric Vaccination Access Across Canada
The inclusion of PREVNAR 20™ in Québec’s publicly funded immunization program represents another milestone in Pfizer Canada’s efforts to expand access to next-generation vaccines that help prevent serious infectious diseases. The vaccine is approved by Health Canada for preventing invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia in adults, while also being indicated for the active immunization of infants, children, and adolescents from six weeks through 17 years of age. As more provinces evaluate their pediatric vaccination strategies, Québec’s adoption of PREVNAR 20™ underscores the growing focus on broader serotype coverage to reduce disease burden, prevent hospitalizations, and strengthen long-term public health outcomes for children across Canada.
Source: Pfizer press release
