Children and adolescents aged ≥12 months to <18 years with a risk condition are recommended to receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

All children and adolescents aged ≥12 months to <18 years with a risk condition are recommended to receive a single dose of 20vPCV if they have already completed their routine childhood schedule. See Table. Risk conditions for pneumococcal vaccination and eligibility for NIP funding.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with a risk condition are already recommended to receive this 20vPCV dose as part of their routine schedule.

For children who have not complete their routine childhood schedule, follow the catch-up vaccination recommendations, see Table. Catch-up schedule for 20vPCV for children aged <5 years who are either Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (including those living in ACT, NSW, Tas or Vic who were born on or after 1 March 2025), or have a risk condition(s) for pneumococcal disease.

Any dose of 20vPCV should be given at least 8 weeks after any previous doses of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and 12 months after any previous 23vPPV.

Children with a risk condition who completed their age appropriate PCV schedule with only 13vPCV or 15vPCV are recommended to receive a single dose of 20vPCV at 4 years of age or 12 months after the last dose of PCV, whichever is later. Their schedule is now complete and no additional doses are required. If these children have already received a single dose of 23vPPV following 13vPCV or 15vPCV, they are recommended to receive a single dose of 20vPCV at least 5 years after the1st dose of 23vPPV. These 20vPCV doses replace the previously recommended 23vPPV doses for this population.

Children with risk conditions who have completed their PCV schedule with 13vPCV or 15vPCV and received 2 doses of 23vPPV do not require any supplementary dose of 20vPCV.

Children who have received a haematopoietic stem cell transplant are recommended to receive 3 doses of 20vPCV after transplantation regardless of previous pneumococcal vaccine history. See Table. Recommendations for revaccination after haematopoietic stem cell transplant in children and adults.

20vPCV (Prevenar 20) is funded through the NIP for children with certain risk conditions. See Table. Risk conditions for pneumococcal vaccination and eligibility for NIP funding. For details see the National Immunisation Program Schedule.