News
Childhood pneumococcal vaccine schedule change
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has advised the 1 September 2025 childhood pneumococcal vaccine change under the National Immunisation Program.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the department) has advised the 1 September 2025 childhood pneumococcal vaccine change under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Key points:
- The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has reviewed pneumococcal vaccines on the current childhood immunisation schedule. Based on ATAGI’s advice, the government has made changes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
- From 1 September 2025, Prevenar 20 will be introduced into the NIP to replace Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23 on the childhood schedule.
- The introduction of Prevenar 20 simplifies the vaccine schedule, reduces the number of doses and covers more strains of the disease.
- All First Nations children will receive four doses, making the program consistent across all states and territories.
- From 1 September 2025, children under five years, who have:
- not yet started their pneumococcal schedule should receive three doses of Prevenar 20.
- previously received one or two doses of Prevenar 13 should receive Prevenar 20 for all subsequent doses to complete the recommended vaccination course (where required).
- already completed a Prevenar 13 vaccination course who are due for a Pneumovax 23 booster should receive one dose of Prevenar 20 instead. Do not delay vaccination, if required, Pneumovax 23 can still be used (while stock is available).
Further advice and resources will be available on the department’s website health.gov.au/immunisation on the program from 1 September 2025.
