Prevenar 20 has been added to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for all children and for adolescents with specified medical risk conditions.
It protects against more strains of pneumococcal disease than previous vaccines and prevents serious illness.
Most children will now get three doses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children – as well as children with specific medical risk conditions – will get four doses.
Remember to report all vaccinations to the Australian Immunisation Register.
Resources relating to the updated childhood and adolescence pneumococcal vaccination program are now available.
These include program advice for health professionals, consumer factsheets, frequently asked questions, NSW immunisation schedules, NCRIS pneumococcal vaccines FAQs, an upcoming NCIRS pneumococcal vaccination webinar and updated SKAI materials for childhood vaccinations.
Read the latest Department of Health, Disability and Ageing newsletter
Latest pneumococcal resources
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
National Immunisation Program schedule
Australian Immunisation Handbook, Pneumococcal disease
Childhood and adolescence pneumococcal vaccine – Frequently Asked Questions
Childhood and adolescence pneumococcal vaccine – Consumer fact sheet
Childhood and adolescence pneumococcal vaccine – Program advice for health professionals
National Immunisation Program childhood schedule fridge magnet card
Childhood vaccinations consumer brochure – DL version
Following vaccination – what to expect and what to do
National Centre of Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)
Pneumococcal vaccines: Frequently asked questions