From Immunisation Section, Department of Health Victoria.
The Commonwealth government has announced advice about the Prevenar 13 (conjugate pneumococcal vaccine) to be included in a catch-up program as follows:
- A single free supplementary dose of Prevenar 13® will be provided to children aged between 12 and 35 months who have completed their primary vaccination course with the Prevenar® vaccine, to ensure these children can also benefit from the improved vaccine. Prevenar 13® protects against 13 strains of pneumococcal disease, and will replace an existing pneumococcal vaccine, Prevenar® that protects against 7 strains.
- The catch up program will be available for one year and is due to commence from 1 October 2011 to 30 September 2012.
- This complements the listing of Prevenar 13® on the National Immunisation Program as a three dose course of Prevenar 13® which will be given to infants at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A 4th dose should also be given to medically at risk children at 12 months of age.
- The ongoing program for Prevenar 13® for the primary course is due to commence from July 2011.
- Formal written confirmation of the introduction of this vaccine will be posted in the near future to all immunisation providers.
