Childhood pneumococcal vaccination program common questions & answers for providers
State and Territory information:
Question and answer fact sheet about the childhood pneumococcal vaccination program, including eligibility.
Who is eligible for free pneumococcal vaccine?
How much invasive pneumococcal disease is there in Australia?
What vaccine is used in this Program?
More information
Who is eligible for free pneumococcal vaccine?
All infants born from 1 January 2005 at the routinely scheduled immunisation encounters at 2, 4 and 6 months of age or at other times if they miss these milestones.Children in specific high risk groups up to the age of 5 years.
Booster doses for children in specific high risk groups, as required. See Childhood pneumococcal vaccination program - guidelines for providers for more details.
How much invasive pneumococcal disease is there in Australia?
Invasive pneumococcal disease, normally presenting as meningitis, pneumonia and/or bacteraemia, occurs most frequently in young children less than 2 years of age and in adults over 65 years of age.In 2004, a total of 472 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease in children under two years were notified. Of this group, there were 13 deaths.
Invasive pneumococcal disease first became notifiable nationally in Australia in 2001.
What vaccine is used in this Program?
The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7vPCV; Prevenar®) is administered to children aged 2, 4 and 6 months of age.Prevenar® should NOT be administered to people aged 65 years and over as part of the National Pneumococcal Vaccination Program for older Australians.
The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (23vPPV; PneumoVax®23) is registered for use ONLY in children two years and older and in adults, because this vaccine does not cause an immune reaction in children under two years of age. For this reason, it should not be given to children as part of the National Childhood Pneumococcal Vaccination Program.
Some children do receive PneumoVax®23 as a booster dose after they have completed a primary course of Prevenar®. See Childhood pneumococcal vaccination program - guidelines for providers for more details.
More information
Information about the General Practice Immunisation Incentives (GPII) Scheme is available on the Medicare Australia website, or phone 1800 246 101 (free call - 24 hours).Information about the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) is available on the Medicare Australia website or phone 1800 653 809 (free call).
For technical information refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008 (NHMRC).
Page last modified: 08 April, 2008