A new 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is entering the National Immunisation Program, expanding funded access to more than five million adults.
Capvaxive (MSD) is now available free to adults aged 65 and over, down from the previous threshold of 70 years. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, eligibility drops from 50 years to 25 years, bringing an additional 1.8 million Australians into the program from July 1.
New at-risk categories have also been added, including adults with COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic liver disease.
Adults who have previously received a pneumococcal vaccine can be revaccinated with Capvaxive at least 12 months after their last dose.
The vaccine’s inclusion on the NIP comes amid concerning surveillance data, with 371 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease notified in the first quarter of 2026, a 17% rise on the same period last year. In 2025, notified case numbers among Australians aged 65–69 were almost 1.4 times higher than among those aged 70–74, and 37% of all invasive pneumococcal disease cases were reported in adults over 65.
Dr Rod Pearce, Chair of the Immunisation Coalition, said the changes should ease a longstanding source of confusion for clinicians. “To date many Australians and even health care professionals have been unsure about who can be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease and when,” he said. “With the new changes, GPs, pharmacists and nurse immunisers will be able to have a simple, informed conversation with their patients.”
Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke welcomed the COPD inclusion, noting the organisation had long advocated for it. “For people living with COPD, respiratory infections can have a serious impact on their health and wellbeing,” he said. “Expanding access to pneumococcal vaccination is an important measure to help reduce this burden.”
Capvaxive covers 21 serotypes and, combined with the childhood schedule, the updated programs now cover a total of 31 strains of pneumococcal disease.
Common adverse events include injection site pain, redness, swelling, fatigue, headache, myalgia and fever, typically mild and resolving within three days.