Pneumococcal vaccination for children <5 years old

Pneumococcal disease is a rare but serious condition that can cause significant illness, disability and death.

The routine schedule Australia-wide is 3 doses of 13vPCV* – dose 1 at age 2 months, dose 2 at age 4 months and dose 3 at age 12 months.

Children with a risk condition for pneumococcal disease, Australia-wide, should receive 4 doses of 13vPCV and 2 doses of 23vPPV. For 13vPCV*, dose 1 at age 2 months, dose 2 at age 4 months, dose 3 at age 6 months and dose 4 at age 12 months. For 23vPPV, dose 1 at age 4 years and dose 2 at least 5 years later.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in the NT, Qld, SA and WA should receive 4 doses of 13vPCV and 2 doses of 23vPPV. For 13vPCV*, dose 1 at age 2 months, dose 2 at age 4 months, dose 3 at age 6 months and dose 4 at age 12 months. For 23vPPV, dose 1 at age 4 years and dose 2 at least 5 years later.

These vaccines are funded under the National Immunisation Program. See the Australian Immunisation Handbook for the list of risk conditions.

See the Australian Immunisation Handbook for more details.

*15vPCV and 20vPCV are available as alternatives to 13vPCV, but are not currently NIP-funded.