Pneumococcal Disease
Information about pneumococcal disease immunisation funded under the Immunise Australia Program.
Pneumococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. Some types of the bacterium are commonly found in the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat and windpipe) of healthy people. The bacterium can spread between people through infected droplets in the air and by touching an infected person. The disease can cause:
- meningitis (infection of the membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord);
- pneumonia (lung infection);
- septicaemia/bacteraemia (blood system infection); and
- middle ear and sinus infections.
Pneumococcal meningitis symptoms may include high fever and headache, which may develop over a few hours or 1 to 2 days. Other symptoms may also include:
- vomiting;
- sensitivity to light;
- neck stiffness;
- poor appetite;
- confusion;
- irritability; and
- drowsiness.
Pneumococcal pneumonia symptoms may be vague and include fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.
Pneumococcal blood system infections can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, irritability, drowsiness and rash.
Pneumococcal middle ear infections cause ear pain and a red and swollen ear drum, difficulty sleeping, fever and irritability.
Most pneumococcal infections are vaccine preventable. Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended as part of routine immunisation for children, Older Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule and funded under the Immunise Australia Program. To receive pneumococcal immunisation, visit your local doctor or immunisation provider. It is important to note that the vaccine is provided at no cost, however a consultation fee may apply.
Immunisation against pneumococcal disease is achieved using single-disease vaccines. For information about immunisation in your area contact your State or Territory Health Department.
Pneumococcal immunisation for Children
This program commenced on 1 January 2005 and provides free pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevenar®) for all children born on or after 1 January 2005 at 2, 4 and 6 months of age.Medically at-risk require a fourth dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevenar®) at 12 months of age, and a booster dose of polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax23®) at 4 years of age.
For technical information or information about vaccines, refer to the pneumococcal section of the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008 (NHMRC)
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Pneumococcal immunisation for Older Australians
The National Pneumococcal Vaccination Program for Older Australians commenced in January 2005 and provides free pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax23®) to adults aged 65 years or older. People aged 65 years or over should discuss vaccination with their doctor or health care provider.Adults aged 65 years or over are at higher risk of contracting pneumococcal disease than the rest of the population, with the majority of deaths from this disease occurring in this age group.
2 doses of vaccine are given, with the second dose given 5 years after the first dose. For technical information or information about vaccines, refer to the Pneumococcal section of the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008 (NHMRC)
Pneumococcal immunisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Respiratory diseases are major causes of preventable sickness and death in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with some Aboriginal communities having the highest incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in the world.
In addition to the standard National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children younger than 5 years of age living in Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia receive a dose of the polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax23®) between 12 and 18 months of age.
Free pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax23®) is provided through community controlled Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS), State/Territory immunisation clinics and general practitioners, for Indigenous people who are:
- aged over 50; and
- aged 15 to 49 who are at high risk, according to National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommendations.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50 years, 2 doses of vaccine are given, with the second dose given 5 years after the first dose. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 to 49 who are at high risk, 3 doses of vaccine are given, with the second dose given 5 years after the first dose and the third dose given either 5 years after second dose or at 50 years of age (whichever is later). For technical information or information about vaccines, refer to the pneumococcal section of the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008 (NHMRC)
Page last modified: 05 May, 2009