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Melbourne General Practice Network

DoH: Immunisation - Pneumovax 23 - 04January2011

In April 2011, following an increase in the notification of adverse events following revaccination of adults with Pneumovax 23®, the Therapeutic Goods Administration recommended that revaccination with Pneumovax 23® should not occur pending the outcome of further investigation and a review of previous advice on its use by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

The outcome of this investigation has led to the formulation of new advice on the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of Pneumovax 23® and its place within the National Immunisation Program.

Following the review, ATAGI’s revised revaccination recommendations are:

  • A dose of 23vPPV should be given to adults at 65 years of age. Every effort should be made to provide a dose to anyone aged >65 years who has not previously received a dose of 23vPPV.
  • For non-Indigenous adults aged ≥65 years, a second dose (a single revaccination) of 23vPPV, to be given ≥5 years after the first dose, is recommended for those who have a condition that predisposes them to an increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (see Table A).
  • A second dose is no longer recommended for those without any of these predisposing conditions.
  • Recommendations for the use of 23vPPV in those < 65 years, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) adolescents and adults, are unchanged from the 9th edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

For further information and detailed ATAGI advice, please see the Pneumococcal information, Immunisation of adults, 23 December 2011 at: http://immunise.health.gov.au/