The adult pneumococcal vaccination program is changing from 1 July 2026
Changes to the adult pneumococcal vaccination schedule from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, the 21‑valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (21vPCV), Capvaxive®, will be introduced to the National Immunisation Program (NIP), with updates to the adult pneumococcal vaccination schedule.
Key changes
Capvaxive® will replace Prevenar 13® and Pneumovax 23® on the NIP for adults.
Capvaxive® will be recommended and funded under the NIP from 1 July 2026 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 pneumococcal disease
The updated schedule:
Lowers the age at which pneumococcal vaccination is recommended
Simplifies the vaccination schedule
Provides protection against additional pneumococcal serotypes
Ordering and stock management
Capvaxive® will be available to order from 15 June 2026 in preparation for the program change.
Please ensure any wasted stock of Prevenar 13® and Pneumovax 23® is reported via the NSW Vaccine Centre Online system.