Infants and children are recommended to receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
All children are recommended to receive 20vPCV vaccine in a 3-dose schedule at 2, 4 and 12 months of age.
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.
Children who started the recommended schedule with 13vPCV or 15vPCV are recommended to complete their schedule with 20vPCV.
Children who have completed their PCV schedule with 13vPCV or 15vPCV do not require any supplementary dose of 20vPCV.
For catch-up vaccination recommendations for non-Indigenous children without risk conditions, see Table. Catch-up schedule for 20vPCV for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in ACT, NSW, Tas or Vic, born before 1 March 2025, and children from all states/territories who do not have risk condition(s) for pneumococcal disease, aged <5 years.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and infants and children with one or more risk condition for pneumococcal disease are recommended an extra dose. See:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are recommended to receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
- infants aged ≤12 months with a risk condition are recommended to receive a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
- children aged >12 months to <18 years with a risk condition are recommended to receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
20vPCV (Prevenar 20) is funded through the NIP for all children aged <5 years. For details see the National Immunisation Program Schedule.