The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) reported a nearly 30% increase in pneumonia hospitalizations during the most recent respiratory illness season compared to the previous period. The data revealed a significant surge in pneumonia hospitalizations among children aged five to 17 in the 2024-2025 period, more than doubling from the previous year. Dr. Jesse Papenburg, an infectious disease specialist at Montreal Children’s Hospital, noted that health-care professionals observed a notably busy time for pneumonia cases in line with CIHI’s findings.
Papenburg attributed the rise in pneumonia cases to the intense flu season experienced last year, which likely contributed to the spike in pneumonia hospitalizations. He emphasized that viral pneumonia can be a severe complication of influenza, potentially leading to bacterial pneumonia due to respiratory tract cell damage, making it easier for bacteria to infect.
Moreover, Papenburg highlighted another factor influencing the increase in pneumonia hospitalizations, particularly among children – a rise in “walking pneumonia” cases last year. This milder form of pneumonia caused by mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria typically presents with cough, fever, and fatigue, leading to hospitalizations for some patients despite the overall small proportion of severe cases.
According to CIHI data, pneumonia hospitalizations exceeded pre-pandemic levels across all age groups. Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Alberta, suggested that pneumonia cases may be on the rise due to various circulating bacterial strains to which immunity was not developed during the pandemic.
The CIHI data encompassed pneumonia hospitalizations from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, showing a substantial 143% increase in hospitalizations for children and youth compared to the previous year. Adults aged 18 to 64 experienced a 34% rise in pneumonia hospitalizations, while seniors aged 65 and over saw a 22% increase.
Papenburg advised parents to ensure their children are up to date with vaccinations to safeguard against severe pneumonia, noting that routine childhood immunizations include a vaccine targeting the most common bacteria causing severe pneumonia.