From 1 July 2026, more than 5 million Australians will be eligible

Free pneumococcal vaccination will expand to an extra 1.8 million Australians from 1 July 2026, taking the total eligible under the National Immunisation programme to more than 5 million.

The newly funded vaccine is CAPVAXIVE, a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for preventing pneumococcal disease in adults caused by certain bacterial serotypes.

Under the expanded programme, adults aged 65 years and over will qualify for funded vaccination. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 25 years and over will also qualify, along with adults aged 18 years and over with certain at-risk conditions.

For the first time, funded eligibility will include at-risk adults with chronic liver disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Adults who have already received a pneumococcal vaccine can be revaccinated with CAPVAXIVE at least 12 months after their earlier dose.

The changes lower the funded age threshold for older Australians from 70 to 65. They also lower the threshold for First Nations adults from 50 to 25.

Adults aged 65 and over

The Federal Government listed CAPVAXIVE on the adult pneumococcal National Immunisation programme for immediate use on 30 June 2026, ahead of the 1 July 2026 start date.

Funded vaccination is intended to help prevent pneumococcal bacterial infections including pneumonia, septicaemia, meningitis and middle ear infections.

Chifumi Umeda, managing director of MSD Australia and New Zealand, said: “We welcome the Government’s investment in expanding access to adult pneumococcal vaccination and its commitment to protecting Australians at risk of serious disease.”

MSD Australia and New Zealand said it wanted to support implementation of the programme with the Government after the 30 June 2026 listing.

Dr Sarah Chu, a preventive health advocate, said: “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.”

The changes may help protect eligible adults against pneumococcal disease, while Australia already has an infant pneumococcal National Immunisation programme.

Pneumococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can lead to invasive pneumococcal disease.