Significant changes to the pneumococcal vaccination schedule under Australia’s National Immunisation Program (NIP) expand vaccine eligibility and simplify recommendations FROM 1 July 2026.
Adult Eligibility Expansions
- Non-Indigenous adults: Recommended age and free access lowered from 70 years to 65 years and over.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults: Eligibility and free access expanded from 50 years to 25 years and over.
- At-Risk Patients: Expanded medical risk categories now include conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic liver disease
The new 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (21vPCV, Capvaxive) has replaced older vaccines (Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23) on the NIP for adults. This new vaccine covers significantly more strains of pneumococcal
All adults are now recommended to receive a single dose of the new 21vPCV vaccine, regardless of their previous pneumococcal vaccination history, provided it has been at least 12 months since their last dose
Please book to see your Doctor to discuss if you are eligible for the new 21vPCV vaccine.
