Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged ≥50 years are recommended to receive a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and 23vPPV

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged ≥50 years are recommended to receive:

• a dose of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (13vPCV, 15vPCV or 20vPCV) at age ≥50 years, and
• a dose of 23vPPV 12 months after pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (2–12 months is acceptable), and
• a 2nd dose of 23vPPV at least 5 years after the 1st dose of 23vPPV

This is based on:

• a higher burden of pneumococcal disease in this population from a younger age
• the considerable proportion of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by additional serotypes contained only in 23vPPV

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged ≥50 years who have previously received 23vPPV are recommended to receive:

• 1 dose of a conjugate vaccine 12 months after their last 23vPPV dose, if they have not already received a conjugate vaccine, and
• 1 dose of 23vPPV 12 months after their conjugate vaccine dose, or 5 years after their previous 23vPPV dose, whichever is later. If they have already received 2 doses of 23vPPV, no further 23vPPV doses are recommended.

For the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine dose, there is no preference for either 13vPCV, 15vPCV or 20vPCV. It should be noted that 15vPCV is anticipated to provide benefit against two additional serotypes compared to 13vPCV; however, this difference is expected to diminish after receiving 23vPPV.² 20vPCV is anticipated to provide protection against seven additional serotypes, when compared to 13vPCV, but it is uncertain if this difference is maintained after receiving 23vPPV.

13vPCV (Prevenar 13) and the additional doses of 23vPPV (Pneumovax 23) are both funded through the NIP for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged ≥50 years. For details see the National Immunisation Program Schedule.