Pneumococcal vaccine

Pneumococcal vaccine is used to prevent infections that are caused by the bug (bacteria) called Pneumococcus. These infections can range from sinusitis and ear infections to life-threatening infections like pneumonia or meningitis. Find out more about pneumococcal disease.

Being vaccinated causes your body to produce antibodies against the Pneumococcus bacteria. This means your body can respond faster and more effectively to prevent an infection. It does this because by first coming across a non-infectious version of the bacteria in the vaccine, it learns to recognise it. When it comes across it again, your body can react much faster and in a more effective way.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent infection and reduce serious illness if you become infected. The rate of pneumococcal disease in children under the age of 2 years has significantly reduced since vaccination was introduced. 

In Aotearoa New Zealand there are 2 different brands of pneumococcal vaccine – Pneumovax 23® and Prevenar 13®. They are slightly different to each other as they protect against different types of Pneumoccocus bacteria.

Your child's age and risk factors decide which brand they need to have and when to have the doses. Often the doses are given a few months apart. They need to have completed all of their doses to be fully vaccinated. Some older children and adults may also be eligible for vaccination (see below).

If your child misses starting a course, that’s okay. Speak to your doctor or nurse for advice on when they can have the vaccines.

• All infants who are not at high risk of pneumococcal disease should receive the pneumococcal vaccine Prevenar 13 as part of the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule(external link) at 6 weeks, 5 months and 12 months of age. 
• Infants who are high-risk are advised to receive an extra dose of Prevenar 13 at 3 months of age.
• Some older children and adults with weakened immune systems who are at risk of pneumococcal infection may be eligible for vaccination with Pneumovax 23. Check with your healthcare provider about your eligibility. 

• The pneumococcal vaccine is usually given by injection into a muscle, eg, the muscle on your mid-thigh.
• If you have a condition that makes you bleed more easily than normal, it may be given as an injection underneath your skin.
• It's safe to get the pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine, but at a different injection site.

Like all medicines, the pneumococcal vaccine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. 

The best place to go for vaccinations is your family medical clinic. They have your medical records and can check to see if you’ve already had a particular vaccination. Either your doctor or a nurse can give the vaccination.

If you don’t have a family doctor, you can go to one of the after-hour medical clinics. Phone them first to make sure they can help you with the vaccination you need.

You can find a clinic near you on the Healthpoint(external link) website. Put in your address and region, and under ‘Select a Service’, click on GPs/Accident & Urgent Medical Care.

Vaccines on the National Immunisation Schedule(external link) are free. Other vaccines are funded only for people at particular risk of disease. You can choose to pay for vaccines that you are not eligible to receive for free.