Pneumococcal disease

Key facts

  • Pneumococcal disease can cause inflammation around the brain (meningitis), infection in the lungs (pneumonia), ear infections that can damage babies' hearing, and other serious diseases.

  • Vaccines are the best way to protect your child against pneumococcal disease.

Last updated on 23 April 2023.

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When to vaccinate against pneumococcal disease

It is recommended that you vaccinate your child against pneumococcal disease at:


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What is pneumococcal disease?

Pneumococcal disease is caused by germs (bacteria) that can cause inflammation around the brain (meningitis), infection in the lungs (pneumonia), ear infections that can damage babies' hearing, and other serious diseases. Babies and children can catch it from each other just like they catch colds.1

What will happen to my child if they catch pneumococcal disease?

Usual symptoms

  • Pneumococcal disease is caused by pneumococcus bacteria (germs) and it can affect a number of different parts of the body. 
  • About 28 to 55 per cent of acute otitis media (middle-ear infection) is caused by pneumococcal disease.

Less common symptoms

  • Pneumococcus can cause meningitis (infection of the brain lining) and pneumonia (lung infection).
  • About 33 to 50 per cent of the people who are treated for pneumonia in hospital have pneumococcal disease.

Rare symptoms

  • About 3 per cent of people who get pneumococcal-meningitis die.
What vaccine will protect my child against pneumococcal disease?

In Australia, children receive a vaccine (13vPCV) that strengthens immunity to 13 strains of the bacteria that causes pneumococcal disease. 

When should my child be vaccinated?

It is recommended that children receive a vaccine that protects against pneumococcal disease at two months, four months and 12 months.

It is important that children get all their vaccinations on time to ensure they have the  best possible protection against infectious diseases.

Will my child catch pneumococcal disease from the vaccine?

No, there is no risk that your child will catch pneumococcal disease because the vaccine does not contain the live bacteria that causes the disease. Instead, it contains  parts of the pneumococcal bacteria capsule that can train your child’s immune system to recognise and fight the infection

What are the common reactions to the vaccine?
  • About 70 per cent of children who get a pneumococcal vaccine (13vPCV)  are irritable (cranky or unsettled) for a day or two afterwards.
  • About 60 per cent are drowsy or sleep more for a day or two afterwards.
  • About 50 per cent of children get a sore, red spot at the injection site.  
  • About 39 per cent don't eat as well in the days after getting the vaccine.
  • About 37 per cent get a fever and about 5 per cent get a fever higher than 39 degrees in the day or two afterwards.
  • About 33 per cent will get a hard, red lump at the injection site that lasts a few days or weeks.

If your child doesn’t seem to be getting better, or you are worried about them, you can get help from:

  • your doctor
  • your nearest emergency department
  • or by calling Health Direct on 1800 022 222.
Are there any rare and/or serious side effects to the vaccine?

There are no known rare and/or serious side effects to the vaccine.

What impact has vaccination had on the prevalence of pneumococcal disease?

Since pneumococcal vaccines were funded under the National Immunisation Program in 2005, the notification rate of the strains of pneumococcal disease covered by the vaccines have decreased substantially.3,4

Graph: Prevalence of pneumococcal disease