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Updated pneumococcal vaccine now available

July 2026

An updated formulation of the pneumococcal vaccine is now available for eligible Australians.

Under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), the new pneumococcal vaccine is now free and recommended for:

  • Adults aged 65 years and over.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 25 years and over.
  • Adults aged 18 years and over with specified medical conditions that increase their risk of severe disease
    (you check your eligibility with your Community Care Chemist pharmacist immuniser)
What is pneumococcal disease?

It’s a bacterial infection that can lead to mild infections, such as an ear infection, or sinusitis to pneumonia and life-threatening infections of the bloodstream and central nervous system, such as meningitis.

Pneumococcal disease is often the cause of pneumonia in adults 70 years of age or over. 

If you’re in one of the eligible groups, getting immunised for pneumococcal disease helps protect you against serious complications like;
  • Sinusitis – facial pain, blocked nose
  • Ear infections – ear pain, fever
  • Blood infections – fever, body aches, hospitalisation
  • Joint and bone infections – pain, swelling, fever
  • Pneumonia – cough, chest pain, breathing issues
  • Meningitis – fever, stiff neck, vomiting, coma and is fatal in up to 30% of cases
Can I get my pneumococcal vaccination at the same time as my flu shot or another vaccination?

Adults can receive their pneumococcal vaccination at the same time as, or separate to, other vaccines, such as, seasonal flu shots, shingles, RSV and COVID-19 vaccines.  

If you have any concerns around the timing of vaccinations, chat to your Community Care Chemist pharmacist immuniser.

I’ve previously been vaccinated for pneumococcal, do I need to get another dose?

All eligible adults (see below) who have already received a dose of any previous pneumococcal vaccine are recommended to receive a dose of the updated formulation at least 12 months after their last dose.

Eligible groups for a catch up pneumococcal vaccine include:

  • Adults aged 65 years and over.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 25 years and over.
  • Adults aged 18 years and over with specified medical conditions that increase their risk of severe disease.

This catch-up dose is free under the NIP.

We recommended chatting to your Community Care Chemist pharmacist immuniser about the timing of your catch-up dose.

Do I need a yearly pneumococcal vaccination, like the flu?

The need for further doses of the new pneumococcal vaccination has not yet been established at this time.

Community Care Chemist will share this information with our Geelong community if there’s any changes in this space.

Information from this blog sourced from:

Better Health Victoria pneumococcal disease immunisation

Better Health Victoria pneumococcal disease

Australian Immunisation Handbook

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