Merck's CAPVAXIVE Added to Ontario Publicly Funded Adult Immunization Program

Merck (MRK) said Ontario has added CAPVAXIVE, its 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, to the province's publicly funded adult immunization program, expanding access for eligible older adults. The addition, announced September 28, 2026, broadens reimbursement coverage for the shot in Canada's most populous province. The vaccine targets 21 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Public funding removes out-of-pocket costs for qualifying adults, a move that could lift uptake volumes for Merck in the Ontario market. Merck has been positioning CAPVAXIVE against rival pneumococcal vaccines, including Pfizer's PREVNAR 20. Ontario's decision follows other public health jurisdictions weighing coverage of the higher-valency option.