National Immunization Awareness Week (April 26 to May 2) is a chance to reflect on the role immunization can play in helping protect health and prevent disease. It’s also a practical moment for Canadians to review which vaccinations may be recommended for them and their families, based on age, health status, and personal circumstances.

Across Canada, some groups, such as young children, older adults, and people living with chronic conditions, can be more likely to experience serious outcomes from respiratory illnesses that are preventable through vaccination^{1, 2}.  At the same time, not everyone receives the vaccines that are recommended. This can happen for many reasons, including limited awareness of vaccine benefits, uncertainty about which vaccines apply at different life stages, or barriers to accessing services that fit into everyday schedules.

Improving access pathways means reducing these practical barriers so that getting immunized is easier—whether someone is attending a routine check-up, managing a chronic condition, or looking for seasonal protection. Helpful approaches can include offering vaccines in more convenient locations, extending hours, making booking simpler, supporting walk-in options where appropriate, and using reminders and clear information so people know what may be recommended for their age and risk profile.

Community pharmacies and primary care providers are important partners in this effort. Pharmacies could provide local access, often with extended hours and no need for a physician visit. Similarly, primary care teams can identify patients who may benefit most, answer questions, and incorporate vaccination into preventive care and chronic disease management. Together, these settings can make it easier for adults to follow through on recommendations, while also supporting healthcare system capacity during periods of increased respiratory illness.

Education is another cornerstone of improving immunization at all ages. Clear, disease-specific information can help people understand the illnesses vaccines help prevent, who may be at higher risk, and what protection can mean for them. Plain-language resources and conversations with healthcare professionals can also help address common questions, so individuals can make informed decisions for themselves and their loved ones and take action at the right time.

Collaboration is key to enabling a healthier, more resilient Canada. We recognize the Public Health Agency of Canada, federal and provincial decision-makers working in vaccines policy and programs, and expert advisory committees’ efforts to support timely and equitable access to immunization. We encourage policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community organizations to continue working together to make immunization easier to understand, easier to access, and easier to fit into routine care.

National Immunization Awareness Week is also an opportunity to focus on practical steps to close Canada’s immunization gap. Across the country, we can strengthen protection for Canadians by advancing more consistent public funding, access, and awareness of recommended vaccines, so that where you live doesn’t determine whether you can get protected. At the same time, we can expand vaccination delivery capacity by supporting pharmacists to vaccinate to the full scope of their practice, helping make immunization more convenient in communities. With coordinated action from policymakers, healthcare providers, and community partners, we can help more adults get vaccinated on time and build a healthier, more resilient Canada.

¹  Global burden of influenza-associated lower respiratory tract infections and hospitalizations among adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis | PLOS Medicine
²  Pneumococcal disease burden in high-risk older adults: Exploring impact of comorbidities, long-term