PNEUMOVAX April 2026
SELECTED SAFETY INFORMATION
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine.1
PNEUMOVAX 23 is listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Refer to the NIP Schedule
Before prescribing please review the Product Information.
INDICATIONS: Immunisation against pneumococcal disease caused by the 23 serotypes contained in the vaccine in persons aged >65 years; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged >50 years; individuals aged >2 years with asplenia (where possible the vaccine should be given at least 14 days before splenectomy); immunocompromised patients at increased risk of pneumococcal disease; immunocompetent persons at increased risk of complications from pneumococcal disease because of chronic illness; patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks.1
PNEUMOVAX 23 will not prevent disease caused by capsular types of pneumococcus other than those contained in the vaccine. The use of PNEUMOVAX 23 should be guided by official recommendations.1
SELECTED SAFETY INFORMATION:
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine.1
PRECAUTIONS: Immunocompromised patients: Effectiveness in immunocompromised patients is not proven. For planning cancer chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive therapy the timing of the vaccination is critical. See Product Information for more details. If used in persons receiving intensive immunosuppressive therapy, the expected serum antibody response may not be obtained and potential impairment of future immune responses to pneumococcal antigens may occur. Treatments with proven efficacy, such as penicillin prophylaxis, should be continued despite vaccination or revaccination with PNEUMOVAX 23. General: Intradermal administration may cause severe local reactions, so should be avoided. May not be effective in preventing meningitis in certain patients with chronic CSF leakage. Exercise care with individuals with severely compromised cardiac and/or pulmonary function. Consider delaying vaccination in febrile respiratory illness or active infection. As with any vaccine, vaccination with PNEUMOVAX 23 may not result in complete protection in all recipients. Use in the elderly: A higher frequency and/ or a greater severity of reactions in some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Paediatric use: Not recommended in children aged under 2 years. Pregnancy: Category B2. Lactation: Caution in nursing mothers.1
ADVERSE EFFECTS: The most commonly reported adverse events (≥10%) were fever (≤38.8°C) and injection site reactions including pain, soreness, erythema, warmth, swelling and local induration. Cellulitis-like reactions have been reported in post-marketing. See Product Information for other adverse events. Compared with primary vaccination, an increased rate of injection-site reactions has been observed with revaccination at 3–5 years following primary vaccination.1
Reference: 1. PNEUMOVAX® 23 Australian Approved Product Information, 17 July 2024.
AU-PVC-00091 v2. Issued March 2026.
PNEUMOVAX 23 is listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Refer to the NIP Schedule
Before prescribing please review the Product Information.
INDICATIONS: Immunisation against pneumococcal disease caused by the 23 serotypes contained in the vaccine in persons aged >65 years; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged >50 years; individuals aged >2 years with asplenia (where possible the vaccine should be given at least 14 days before splenectomy); immunocompromised patients at increased risk of pneumococcal disease; immunocompetent persons at increased risk of complications from pneumococcal disease because of chronic illness; patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks.1
PNEUMOVAX 23 will not prevent disease caused by capsular types of pneumococcus other than those contained in the vaccine. The use of PNEUMOVAX 23 should be guided by official recommendations.1
SELECTED SAFETY INFORMATION:
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine.1
PRECAUTIONS: Immunocompromised patients: Effectiveness in immunocompromised patients is not proven. For planning cancer chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive therapy the timing of the vaccination is critical. See Product Information for more details. If used in persons receiving intensive immunosuppressive therapy, the expected serum antibody response may not be obtained and potential impairment of future immune responses to pneumococcal antigens may occur. Treatments with proven efficacy, such as penicillin prophylaxis, should be continued despite vaccination or revaccination with PNEUMOVAX 23. General: Intradermal administration may cause severe local reactions, so should be avoided. May not be effective in preventing meningitis in certain patients with chronic CSF leakage. Exercise care with individuals with severely compromised cardiac and/or pulmonary function. Consider delaying vaccination in febrile respiratory illness or active infection. As with any vaccine, vaccination with PNEUMOVAX 23 may not result in complete protection in all recipients. Use in the elderly: A higher frequency and/ or a greater severity of reactions in some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Paediatric use: Not recommended in children aged under 2 years. Pregnancy: Category B2. Lactation: Caution in nursing mothers.1
ADVERSE EFFECTS: The most commonly reported adverse events (≥10%) were fever (≤38.8°C) and injection site reactions including pain, soreness, erythema, warmth, swelling and local induration. Cellulitis-like reactions have been reported in post-marketing. See Product Information for other adverse events. Compared with primary vaccination, an increased rate of injection-site reactions has been observed with revaccination at 3–5 years following primary vaccination.1
Reference: 1. PNEUMOVAX® 23 Australian Approved Product Information, 17 July 2024.
AU-PVC-00091 v2. Issued March 2026.