From 1 July 2026, more than five million Australians will be eligible for government funded pneumococcal vaccination under an expanded National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Pneumococcal disease, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, can lead to illnesses ranging from middle ear infections which can cause hearing loss, to sinusitis and life-threatening invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), including pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis.
A new pneumococcal vaccine for adults will be added to the NIP to cover more strains of the disease.
Under the revised schedule, adults 65 years and over will be able to access the pneumococcal vaccine on the NIP where it was previously available for people 70 years and over. Eligibility has also been expanded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 25 years and over, down from 50 years, as well as adults aged 18 years and over with specified medical conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease.
New medical risk categories added to the list of conditions eligible for free NIP pneumococcal vaccines including for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and chronic liver disease.
Older adults, First Nations people and those with chronic medical conditions are at greatest risk of severe disease.
Health advocates are welcoming the broader access for older adults, First Nations people and individuals with additional medical risk factors.
The expansion adds an estimated 1.8 million Australians to the program and includes government funding for MSD’s 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, CAPVAXIVE, for eligible adults.
For the first time, adults living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic liver disease (CLD) are included among the funded at-risk groups. Adults who have previously received a pneumococcal vaccine may also receive CAPVAXIVE at least 12 months after their earlier vaccination if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Increasing cases
The expansion comes amid increasing notifications of invasive pneumococcal disease in Australia. National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System data show 371 cases were reported during the first quarter of 2026, representing a 16.7% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
During 2025, 37% of all notified IPD cases occurred in people aged over 65 years, with adults aged 65-69 years experiencing almost 1.4 times as many notified cases as those aged 70-74 years.
Minister for Health and Ageing, Disability and NDIS Mark Butler, said more Australians would now have access to the best and most comprehensive protection against pneumococcal for free.
“Vaccination is the best way to protect against pneumococcal disease and serious illness and these changes will take that protection to a new level for Australians. I encourage eligible Australians to protect themselves and their community by getting vaccinated against pneumococcal,” he said in a media release.
MSD Australia and New Zealand managing director Chifumi Umeda said the NIP listing reflected the Australian Government’s commitment to preventive health.
“We welcome the government’s investment in expanding access to adult pneumococcal vaccination and its commitment to protecting Australians at risk of serious disease,” she said in a different media release on 30 June 2026.
Preventive health advocate Dr Sarah Chu said the changes had been anticipated by clinicians and public health experts.
“The expansion of the adult pneumococcal NIP has been long awaited, as pneumococcal disease and invasive pneumococcal disease in particular may lead to severe illness, long-term consequences and even death,” she said.
“The updated program builds on Australia’s strong infant pneumococcal vaccination program and extends protection to more adults at risk.”
Immunisation Coalition chair Dr Rod Pearce AM said the revised schedule should also simplify vaccination recommendations for healthcare professionals.
“Many Australians and even healthcare 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 to help protect them against this vaccine-preventable disease.”
Lung Foundation Australia chief executive Mark Brooke welcomed the inclusion of people with COPD, saying respiratory infections can have a significant impact on people living with chronic lung disease.
“Expanding access to pneumococcal vaccination is an important measure to help reduce this burden,” he said.
CAPVAXIVE is indicated for the prevention of pneumococcal disease caused by 21 S. pneumoniae serotypes in adults aged 18 years and older. The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends that pneumococcal vaccination be delivered according to the updated NIP schedule and individual risk factors.
