Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged <5 years living in certain states and territories are recommended to receive a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and 23vPPV

In addition to the 3 doses for all children <5 years of age, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in the following states and territories are recommended to receive an additional dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine at 6 months of age:

• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Western Australia

This is because of the higher risk of pneumococcal disease in these children.¹

These children are also recommended to receive 2 doses of 23vPPV:

• 1 dose at 4 years of age
• a 2nd dose at least 5 years later

This is because a considerable proportion of pneumococcal disease in these children is caused by serotypes that are present in 23vPPV but not in 13vPCV, 15vPCV or 20vPCV.

For the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine dose, there is no preference for either 13vPCV or 15vPCV. It should be noted that 15vPCV is anticipated to provide benefit against two additional serotypes compared to 13vPCV; however, this difference is diminished after receiving 23vPPV.²

For children aged >12 months who have not completed a full course of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, the timing and number of further doses for catch-up vaccination depends on:

• the child’s age
• any previous doses they received

For recommendations, see Table. Catch-up schedule for pneumococcal conjugate vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in NT, Qld, SA or WA ONLY, and all children with any risk condition(s) for pneumococcal disease, aged <5 years.

13vPCV (Prevenar 13) and the additional doses of 23vPPV (Pneumovax 23) are both funded through the NIP for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged <5 years living in certain states and territories. For details see the National Immunisation Program Schedule.