Infants and children aged <5 years are recommended to receive a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

All children are recommended to receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in a 3-dose schedule at 2, 4 and 12 months of age. 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.

Infants can receive their 1st dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine as early as 6 weeks of age. If the 1st dose is given at the age of 6 weeks, infants should still receive their next scheduled dose at 4 months of age.

Some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and infants with one or more risk condition for pneumococcal disease need extra doses. See:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• People with medical risk factors
• Infographic. Pneumococcal vaccination for all Australians

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 NSW, Vic, Tas or ACT, and all children who do not have risk condition(s) for pneumococcal disease, aged <5 years.

13vPCV (Prevenar 13) is funded through the NIP for all children aged <5 years. For details see the National Immunisation Program Schedule.