OTTAWA – Canada is experiencing a dramatic rise in pneumonia-related hospitalizations, with new data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) revealing a significant spike over the last year. According to the report released on Thursday, February 19, 2026, hospital admissions for pneumonia increased by nearly one-third nationwide. The surge has been most severe among children and teenagers aged 5 to 17, where hospitalization rates more than doubled compared to the previous year, reflecting an unusually busy respiratory illness season that has stretched healthcare resources.
Health experts, including infectious disease specialists, point to a combination of factors driving this increase, most notably a particularly harsh influenza season during 2024-2025. Viral infections like the flu often weaken the respiratory tract’s defenses, clearing the way for secondary bacterial pneumonia to develop. Many patients reported a “double-hit” scenario where they appeared to be recovering from a flu-like illness only to suddenly worsen as a classic case of bacterial pneumonia took hold.
Another major contributor was the prevalence of “walking pneumonia,” a milder form of the disease caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria. While most cases are typically managed without intensive care, the sheer volume of infections—the highest seen in years—statistically led to more patients requiring hospitalization for complications. Specialists also noted that a post-pandemic “immunity gap” might be at play, as children were less exposed to common circulating bacteria and viruses during years of masking and social distancing, potentially making their immune systems more susceptible now.
The CIHI data, which tracks hospital stays from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, shows that hospitalizations for youth jumped by 143%, rising from 2,698 to 6,547 patients. Adult hospitalizations increased by 34%, while seniors saw a 22% rise. Medical professionals emphasize that ensuring children are up-to-date on routine vaccinations, including those for the flu and pneumococcal bacteria, remains the most effective way to prevent severe outcomes. While it is currently too early to determine if this year’s numbers will follow the same record-breaking trend, officials remain on high alert.
