Transition to Prevenar 13® vaccine
Prevenar® vaccine will cease to be used from 1 July 2011.
Prevenar 13® will replace it in the infant primary immunisation schedule at two, four and six months of age.
In addition a supplementary catch-up dose of Prevenar13® for all children aged 12 months to 35 months will be commencing 1 October 2011. This catch-up vaccine program will run until 30 September 2012.
Prevenar 13® comprises an expanded range of pneumococcal strains to protect children against pneumococcal bacteria. Prevenar 13® protects against 13 strains including 19A which recently accounted for 20% of pneumococcal disease notifications in Victoria.
See the fact sheet for advice about the transition to Prevenar 13® vaccine; a new National Immunisation Program schedule and a criteria for use of government vaccine fact sheet. These resources are available on-line at www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation
Please call the Immunisation Section on 1300 882 008 if you require further advice.
Immunisation Section Department of Health Victoria
National Immunisation Program in Victoria.
