Key facts
- Number of doses: 3 during childhood; 1 as an adult. Some people may need more doses.
- Free for: Babies at 2, 4 and 12 months of age, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months of age, adults aged 65 years and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 25 years and over, and people with specified medical risk conditions.
- Side effects can include mild fever, and pain, redness, swelling and a lump at the injection site.
What is pneumococcal disease
Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that is very serious for young children and older people.
It can cause:
- bloodstream infection
- pneumonia (a lung infection)
- meningitis (infection and swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord).
Pneumococcal bacteria are spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing and close contact with an infected person.
What is the pneumococcal vaccine
The pneumococcal vaccine is an injection that helps protect people from pneumococcal disease. The ingredients teach the immune system to recognise and fight the virus that causes pneumococcal disease, without causing the disease itself.
Pneumococcal vaccines are safe and effective at protecting against pneumococcal disease and its complications. Staying up to date with your vaccinations gives you the best protection.
You can find product information and consumer medicine information about pneumococcal vaccines on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website.
Who can get the pneumococcal vaccine
The vaccine is free under the NIP schedule for:
- children at 2, 4 and 12 months of age
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months of age
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 25 years and over
- adults aged 65 years and over
- people aged 12 months and older with specified medical risk conditions
- children 5 years of age or under (as a catch-up vaccination).
You must also have a Medicare card or be eligible for one. This includes babies and children.
If you are not eligible for the free vaccine through the NIP
Talk to your health professional about whether vaccination is recommended for you or your child. Most vaccines are available for private purchase with a prescription.
If you buy the vaccine yourself, you will need to pay for it. The cost is not covered or reimbursed through the NIP.
Some vaccines not funded by the NIP may be funded by your state or territory. Check the immunisation schedule for your state or territory to find out more.
How the pneumococcal vaccine is given
The vaccine is injected into a muscle (intramuscularly).
Costs
Some providers charge a consultation fee to give vaccines (including free ones). Check before you make an appointment.
Side effects
Most side effects of pneumococcal vaccines are mild and last no more than a couple of days. Serious side effects are rare.
Common side effects include:
- mild fever
- muscle pain
- irritability
- pain, redness and swelling at the injection site.
Occasionally, a lump may form at the injection site. This may last for weeks, but no treatment is needed.
Find out how to manage common vaccine side effects. If you’re worried, talk to a health professional.
Safety data
See safety data for the free vaccines given at 2 months, 4 months and 12 months of age, and for older adults from AusVaxSafety.
Checking immunisation history
You can get proof of vaccination for you or your child. Visit the Check immunisation history page to find out how.
Information for health professionals
If you are a health professional, visit our Vaccination clinical support for health professionals page for more information.
You can also read the Australian Immunisation Handbook pneumococcal disease page.
Next steps
Talk to a health professional to confirm if the pneumococcal vaccine is free or recommended for you or your child.
Find a health professional in your area or call your state or territory health department.
More information
- View our NIP resources.
- Watch our video called What is pneumococcal? to find out why childhood pneumococcal vaccination is so important.
- Read about vaccination for babies and children, teens and older adults on our website.
- Visit the Pneumococcal vaccines page on the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Australia website.
Pneumococcal vaccine
Find out how effective the pneumococcal vaccine is and learn more about potential side effects.
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