Childhood pneumococcal vaccination program - common questions & answers for the public
State and Territory information:
Questions and answers about the pneumococcal vaccination program for children, including eligibility, catch-up doses and vaccines.
Downloadable, printable version of this information (PDF 82 KB)
Who is eligible to receive free pneumococcal vaccine?
Is my child still eligible for free vaccine under the targeted National childhood pneumococcal vaccination program?
Where can I get the free vaccine?
Do I need to get a prescription from my doctor first?
What is pneumococcal disease?
How common is pneumococcal disease in children?
Is pneumococcal disease different to meningococcal disease?
What vaccine is being used in this Program?
How many doses of Prevenar® will my child need?
Are there side effects from receiving the vaccine?
Can my child receive the Prevenar® vaccine at the same time as other routine vaccinations?
Is it safe for my child to receive 3 injections at once?
More information
Who is eligible to receive free pneumococcal vaccine?
Infants born from 1 January 2005 are eligible to receive free pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevenar®) at 2, 4 and 6 months of age along with other vaccines scheduled at that time.Children in specific high risk groups, who were eligible for free vaccine and for booster doses under the previous targeted program, continue to be eligible for free vaccine. These children require additional booster doses of vaccine, which are also provided free. Your immunisation provider will advise you if your child is in a specific high risk group.
Is my child still eligible for free vaccine under the targeted childhood pneumococcal vaccination program?
Yes. Those children eligible under the targeted childhood pneumococcal vaccination program continue to be eligible for free pneumococcal vaccine. Children who are eligible for this program are:- All children under 2 years of age living in Central Australia;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Central Australia and any region likely to have a similar high incidence of pneumococcal infection under 5 years of age; and
- All children under 5 years of age with any of these medical risk factors:
- Congenital immune deficiency;
- Children undergoing immunosuppressive therapy or radiation therapy;
- Compromised splenic function;
- HIV infection;
- Renal failure, or relapsing or persistent nephrotic syndrome;
- Down's syndrome;
- Cardiac disease associated with cyanosis or cardiac failure;
- All premature infants with chronic lung disease;
- All infants born at less than 28 weeks gestation;
- Cystic fibrosis;
- Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus;
- Proven or presumptive cerebrospinal fluid leak; and
- Intracranial shunts and cochlear implants.
Where can I get the free vaccine?
Free pneumococcal vaccine will be available from general practitioners and other immunisation providers.Do I need to get a prescription from my doctor first?
No, you will not need to get a prescription first. As with all free vaccines available under the National Immunisation Program, your general practitioner or other immunisation provider will provide the vaccine.What is pneumococcal disease?
Pneumococcal disease is a potentially serious group of infections caused by bacteria. Pneumococcal disease can lead to infection around the brain (meningitis), blood infection (bacteraemia), pneumonia, and middle ear infections (otitis media). In children, middle ear infection is the most common less serious form of pneumococcal disease.The bacteria are spread in droplets shed from the mouth or nose through coughing, sneezing or contact with articles that have been contaminated with infected droplets. Pneumococcal bacteria are commonly carried in the back of the throat and nose in healthy children and adults.
The incubation time (time taken for the germ to cause symptoms and signs) for the disease can be as short as 24 hours.
Serious pneumococcal disease presenting as meningitis in children often begins similar to many other infections with a fever - the child looks unwell and may refuse to eat or drink. Children may become very quiet and inactive or appear continually distressed. Older children may state they have a headache and bright light hurts their eyes (photophobia). Younger children may become distressed in bright light. Neck stiffness does not necessarily occur but combined with the other symptoms indicates possible meningitis. A rash may occur at any stage and is cause for concern.
How common is pneumococcal disease in children?
Pneumococcal disease is most common in children under the age of two years and adults aged 65 years or over. The disease rates are highest in Indigenous children, particularly those in central Australia. Some children with medical conditions such as impaired immunity or chronic disease are also at increased risk.There are 90 different types of pneumococcal bacteria. However, most cases of the disease are caused by only a few types of these bacteria. While pneumococcal disease can occur at any time, infections seem to be more common during winter and spring.
Is pneumococcal disease different to meningococcal disease?
Yes. While both pneumococcal disease and meningococcal disease can cause infection around the brain and blood poisoning, the two diseases are caused by two different bacteria. Vaccination against meningococcal C disease will not protect your child from pneumococcal disease.What vaccine is being used in this Program?
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevenar® is being used in this Program for injections given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age and in the catch-up component of the Program. Prevenar® works well in babies and young children and covers the seven types of pneumococcal bacteria that most commonly cause disease in children. Children in specific high risk groups require additional doses of Prevenar® or of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine PneumoVax®23, depending on their risk group and the age at which the vaccine is given.How many doses of Prevenar® will my child need?
This depends on the age at which your child attends for immunisation. Between 1 and 6 months of age, your child will need three doses to be fully protected. Between the ages of 7 to 17 months, your child will need two doses, and between 18 and 23 months your child only needs one dose of Prevenar®.The number of vaccine doses required changes with your child's age because as your child gets older, their immune system is better able to respond to the vaccine, so protecting them with fewer doses of vaccine. Doses should be given approximately two months apart.
Are there side effects from receiving the vaccine?
There may be some swelling, redness and soreness at the injection site. A child may also have a low grade fever, be sleepy, restless or irritable. Uncommon side effects may include vomiting, decreased appetite or diarrhoea. Severe reactions are very rare. There is the extremely small chance that the vaccine, like any medication, could cause serious problems, such as a severe allergic reaction. Your child cannot get pneumococcal disease from the vaccine.Can my child receive the Prevenar® vaccine at the same time as other routine vaccinations?
All scheduled vaccines should be given at the one visit (for example, at 2 months of age), and can be given at the same time on the same day. Multiple immunisations will not overload the immune system. There is no evidence that multiple vaccines administered at once increases the risk of serious adverse reactions.Is it safe for my child to receive 3 injections at once?
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) advise it is safe and effective for children to receive three injections during the one visit. There is no evidence that administration of multiple vaccines at the same visit overloads a child's immune system. To minimise discomfort, two injections are given in the one limb, with the third injection administered in the opposite limb. In children under 12 months of age the thigh is used, while in children 12 months of age or older, the arm is used.More information
There are minor differences in the way the Childhood pneumococcal vaccination program is implemented in each State and Territory.Contact your health care provider, doctor or State or Territory Health Department for more details.
Page last modified: 23 January, 2005