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Pneumococcal vaccine changes improve protection for most vulnerable

Pneumococcal is a rare but serious illness that can cause severe illness, disability and death.

Recent changes to Australia’s pneumococcal vaccine program will see greater protection for those who are most vulnerable and at risk of serious illness from the disease.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at pneumococcal disease and how these new changes will help improve protection for Australians.

What is pneumococcal disease?

As noted by the World Health Organization, pneumococcal is a major public health problem worldwide and is estimated to kill one million people globally each year.

It is a bacterial disease caused by the Streptococcus pneumonia bacterium.

There are more than 95 strains of the disease, which live in the nose and throat. While it is often harmless, causing no symptoms, when it does become invasive, it can infect the:

  • Lungs
  • Middle ear
  • Sinuses
  • Blood stream
  • Meninges – lining of the brain and spinal cord

Pneumococcal disease can cause serious, life-threatening illnesses including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.

It is spread by respiratory droplets (through coughing or sneezing) or by touching contaminated surfaces.

Pneumococcal symptoms

Symptoms may vary, depending on the type of pneumococcal infection and the age of the infected person, but can include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Loss of appetite
  • Chest pain
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Ear pain or discharge
  • Blood-stained sputum
  • Light sensitivity
  • Confusion and irritability
  • Skin rash

Who is at risk?

Those most at risk of severe outcomes from pneumococcal disease include:

  • children under two years of age
  • elderly adults
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • people with lung disease, heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, HIV infection, or malnutrition
  • people who have had their spleen removed or whose spleen does not work properly
  • people who smoke or vape

Pneumococcal infections are more common in winter and early spring. Outbreaks in certain settings, including childcare centres, nursing homes, and other institutions are also common.

It is a leading cause of serious illness and death among Australian children under 2 years of age and persons over 85 years of age, with rates highest amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Pneumococcal disease is also a major cause of pneumonia in adults 70 years of age or over.

Treatment

Treatment for pneumococcal disease will depend on the symptoms, and may include:

  • antibiotics
  • medicines to control fever and pain
  • fluids to stop dehydration
  • rest

Those with severe pneumococcal infections, such as meningitis, require quick treatment and will generally need to go to hospital.

Prevention

Vaccination remains the best way to prevent the disease, particularly for those most at risk of serious complications from pneumococcal.

Since the introduction of universal, publicly-funded pneumococcal vaccination programs in Australia in the early 2000s, invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) notification rates have dropped across all age groups.

While no single vaccine can protect against all 95 strains of the disease, pneumococcal vaccines under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) do help prevent infection from the most common strains.

Recent changes to the NIP have been introduced to broaden vaccination coverage against the most common strains for at risk cohorts. These changes, introduced from 1 July this year, now sees the eligibility for the free adult pneumococcal vaccine lowered to 65 years, down from 70 years,
 
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the NIP-funded vaccine is now available for patients aged from 25 years, down from 50 years.
 
For the first time, at-risk adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and people aged 18 and over with certain at-risk conditions are also eligible for free pneumococcal vaccination under the NIP.

These changes have been introduced to help simplify vaccination recommendations, lower the age at which some Australians become eligible for funded pneumococcal vaccination, and improve protection against pneumococcal disease.

Under the current NIP vaccine program, there are 2 x pneumococcal vaccines available:

  • Prevenar 20 (20vPCV) for children and adolescents aged 18 years and under
  • Capvaxive (21vPCV) for people aged 18 years and over

When combined, these vaccines will now provide coverage for an additional 10 strains, protecting people against 31 strains of pneumococcal disease.

The new changes also see a single dose of Capvaxive® replace the previous two dose requirement of Prevenar 13® and Pneumovax 23® on the NIP for adults.

Vaccinations at IMC

All recommended NIP vaccines, including pneumococcal, are available at Illawarra Medical Centre.

To book in for your vaccine or discuss any questions or concerns you may have, book an appointment with one of our GPs. Bookings can be made online or by contacting us on (08) 9208 6400.

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