New pneumococcal vaccine added to NIP

A new pneumococcal vaccine, Capvaxive, has been added to the National Immunisation Program (NIP), along with more than 1.8 million additional Australians eligible for a subsidised vaccine.

As of 1 July, eligibility for the free adult pneumococcal vaccine has lowered to 65 years, down from 70 years.
 
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the NIP-funded vaccine is now available for patients aged from 25 years, down from 50 years.
 
For the first time, at-risk adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and people aged 18 and over with certain at-risk conditions are also eligible for free pneumococcal vaccination under the NIP.
 
While Prevanar 20 is free to all children in Australia through the NIP, Capvaxive is registered for use in people aged 18 and over.
 
Capvaxive is a pneumococcal 21-valent conjugate vaccine (21vPCV), indicated for the prevention of pneumococcal disease in adults caused by certain bacterial serotypes.
 
Eligible adults who received a previous pneumococcal vaccine will be able to be revaccinated with Capvaxive at least 12 months after their previous vaccination.
 
GP and Immunisation Coalition Chair Dr Rodney Pearce said the changes will ‘simplify the previously complex adult pneumococcal disease schedule’.
 
‘To date, many Australians and even healthcare professionals have been unsure about who can be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease and when,’ he said.
 
‘With the new changes, GPs, pharmacists and nurse immunisers will be able to have a simple, informed conversation with their patients to help protect them against this vaccine-preventable disease.’
 
Pneumovax 23, a 23 valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (23vPPV), is no longer recommended for children or adults.
 
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance says the extra benefit of 23vPPV ‘is considered minimal’ when 20vPCV or 21vPCV is used.
 
Dr Pearce said although the pneumococcal 23 ‘sounded like it was more [coverage]’ a polysaccharide vaccine ‘isn’t as effective as a conjugated one’.
 
‘With a 23 we’ve got lots of coverage, but not high-quality coverage that lasts for a long time,’ he told newsGP.
 
He added that data on the Capvaxive rollout will be closely monitored for its efficacy and longevity, to ascertain how frequently it should be administered, though he suspected it may be close to every 10 years.
 
Most pneumococcal infections are non-invasive, occurring in the sinuses or middle ear. However, invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), which can affect the lungs, the brain, the spinal cord or the bloodstream, may become severe or life-threatening.
 
So far this year, 911 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease have been reported, with 329 of those being in New South Wales and 239 in Victoria.
 
In 2025, 2638 cases of pneumococcal disease were reported in Australia, of which about 14% were in children under five years of age, and 37% in adults aged over 65 years.
 
The Australian Immunisation Handbook was updated on 22 June to reflect the eligibility changes and addition of Capvaxive.
 
However, Dr Pearce said there are ‘frustrations’, with each state and territory having ‘their own anomalies’ with distribution, with some clinics reporting they have not received vaccine stock yet.
 
‘Nurses were given advice on 22 June, all the providers were updated with what the new recommendations are, and “it’s going to be 1 July”. And it’s like, “how come we don’t have it in our fridges?”,’ he said
 
‘If it’s done properly, we look forward to that happening, because people will want [Capvaxive] and it’s the season to be getting it. Winter is a time when it’s increased risk, so I just hope we don’t complain in a week’s time that people want it, but we can’t give it.’
 
Dr Pearce said with adults living with chronic liver disease and COPD also eligible for free pneumococcal vaccination, it is ‘a good chance’ for GPs to revise their liver disease knowledge, and to remind people that if they’re immunocompromised or over 65, the NIP-funded vaccine is available.
 
‘It’s now spread out to cover really all of the expected pneumococcal serotypes that are probably going to be serious, so, crack on with it, and make sure everyone in the next six months has actually got a vaccination,’ he said.
 
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Aboriginal Capvaxive chronic liver disease COPD immunisation National Immunisation Program pneumococcal Torres Strait Islander vaccination