Pneumococcal Vaccination
Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection. It is especially serious for young children and older people. It can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infection, and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes around the brain).
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect you against serious illness and complications from pneumococcal disease.
Who should get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease?
Anyone who wants to protect themselves against pneumococcal disease can talk to their local Chemist King pharmacists about getting vaccinated.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends pneumococcal vaccination for specific groups including:
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routine vaccination in infants and children
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adults aged 65 years and over
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 25 years and over
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children, adolescents, and adults with risk conditions for pneumococcal disease
Pneumococcal vaccines are provided free under the National Immunisation Program for eligible people in different age groups and circumstances:
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all children at 2, 4 and 12 months of age (3 doses in total) an extra dose at 6 months for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and all children with specified medical risk conditions that put them at higher risk of getting serious pneumococcal disease (4 doses in total)
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children and adolescents over 12 months to under 18 years of age who have specified medical risk conditions that put them at higher risk of getting serious pneumococcal disease
(1 dose at diagnosis). -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25 years and over
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adults aged 65 years and over (1 dose)
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adults 18 years and over with specified medical risk conditions that increase their risk of severe disease (1 dose).
Your local Chemist King pharmacists will advise if you or your child have a specified medical risk condition and are eligible for free pneumococcal vaccines under the NIP.
How to get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease?
Pneumococcal vaccines only come as a single vaccine, not as a combination vaccine. Different vaccines protect against different strains of pneumococcal disease. It is given as a needle, usually in the upper arm.
Pneumococcal vaccines include:
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Capvaxive®* – covers 21 strains of pneumococcal disease.
* Indicates National Immunisation Program funded vaccine.
Possible side effects of pneumococcal vaccination
You may experience minor side effects following vaccination. Most reactions are mild and last no more than a couple of days and you will recover without any problems.
Common side effects of pneumococcal vaccines include:
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pain, redness and swelling at injection site
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occasionally an injection-site lump (may last many weeks - no treatment needed)
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mild fever.
Talk to your local Chemist King pharmacists about possible side effects of pneumococcal vaccines, or if you or your child has symptoms after having a pneumococcal vaccine that worry you.
Resources
We may disclose your personal information to third parties for a purpose directly related to your vaccine administration. This includes (but is not limited to) disclosure of your personal information to the Australian Immunisation Register, Medicare, medical personnel who are the service providers of the immunisation, other third parties as required by law. We may use and disclose your personal information to third parties to assist in contact tracing and the management of the Coronavirus pandemic by health officials. This includes (but is not limited to) providing your personal information to the relevant departments of health (or similar government bodies or organisations). We may additionally use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy which can be found here.
General information only. This information does not replace the information provided by your healthcare professional. Information current as at date of publishing. Report any errors to marketing@chemistking.com.au
