Government funds vaccination program to protect Aussie children from additional strains of pneumococcal disease

3 November 2011 

• Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection and a leading cause of childhood meningitis, blood poisoning, pneumonia and middle ear infections.1

• Pneumococcal disease remains the most common vaccine-preventable cause of death worldwide in children under five years of age.2 

Australian children under the age of three can now access an updated pneumococcal disease vaccine to help protect them against this potentially fatal disease.3,4

The updated vaccine, Prevenar 13® (pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, 13-valent adsorbed), helps provide protection against additional strains of the disease.3

Prevenar 13 was first made available on the National Immunisation Program in July 2011 for children at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. From now until 30 September 2012, the Government has extended this to include children aged 12 to 35 months who have previously been vaccinated with the older version of the vaccine.4*

Under the Government funded program, these children will be entitled to a FREE dose of Prevenar 13.4

Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection, and a leading cause of meningitis, blood poisoning (septicaemia), pneumonia and middle ear infections (otitis media).1 It is estimated to be responsible for approximately 826,000 deaths in children under five years of age worldwide5 and can leave those affected with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, deafness and an inability to walk or talk.6

Pneumococcal disease is carried in the nose and throat of healthy adults and children. It can be passed from one person to another through sneezing and coughing.7,8

Meningitis Centre Chairman, Bruce Langoulant, welcomes this news. Mr Langoulant has first-hand experience of the devastating impact of pneumococcal disease, having almost lost his youngest daughter to the disease 21 years ago.

“Immunisation plays a pivotal role in protecting our young children from diseases. We know that pneumococcal disease is still circulating in Australia. We mustn’t be complacent but make every effort to protect our children from this potentially very debilitating disease which can impact the whole family unit for a life time.”

About Prevenar 13

Prevenar 13 was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in March 2010 and is indicated for active immunisation for the prevention of disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae strains 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F (including invasive disease, pneumonia and acute otitis media) in infants and children from six weeks up to five years of age.3

Prevenar 13 is registered in more than 95 countries and is included in over 50 National Immunisation Programs worldwide.9 

Prevenar 13 does not provide 100% protection against vaccine strains or protect against nonvaccine strains. Prevenar 13 should not be given if a child is allergic to any of its ingredients, including diphtheria toxoid, or if the child has had an allergic or anaphylactic reaction following prior administration of pneumococcal vaccines. Caution is needed if a child has a low platelet count, any bleeding problems or was born prematurely. Delay immunisation with Prevenar 13 if a child is sick with a high fever. Common side effects: Injection site reactions including redness, itchiness, pain, tenderness, warmth, burning/stinging, fever, loss of appetite, sleepiness, restless sleep, irritability, vomiting, diarrhoea. The following may be signs of serious side effects: shortness of breath, fast, shallow or difficulty breathing, long gaps between breaths, seizures or convulsion, limpness and unresponsiveness, swelling of the face, lips and/or tongue, skin rash, itchiness and hives, cold clammy skin, fast weak pulse, dizziness, weakness, fainting or high fever. Use strictly as directed.3

The full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) can be found at