New pneumococcal vaccine NIP listing expands eligibility to five million patients
Capvaxive was added on 1 July, replacing Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23.
The Federal Government has funded a new pneumococcal vaccine on the National Immunisation Program for adults aged 65 or older and Indigenous adults aged 25 or older.
The listing of MSD Australia’s Capvaxive on 1 July also expands the definition of high-risk adults, who are eligible for funded vaccines when aged 18 or older, by adding new categories such as COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic liver disease and immunocompromising conditions.
MSD Australia says five million Australians are now eligible for National Immunisation Program (NIP)-funded pneumococcal vaccination, up from 3.2 million under the old listing.
Capvaxive, a one-dose 21-valent vaccine, replaces Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23 on the NIP.
