Pneumovax® 23 is used for vaccination of children 2 years of age and over and adults to protect against disease caused by 23 types of Streptococcus pneumonia. Pneumovax® 23 is only used in children after the age of 2 years.
Prevenar 13® is used for primary and booster immunisation of infants and children and primary immunisation of adults at increased risk of pneumococcal disease to protect against disease caused by 13 types of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
The vaccine is licensed for use in infants and children up to their 5th birthday and for adults from 50 years of age. It is used out of licensure in children 5-16 years of age and adolescents/adults between 16-49 years of age as there is no alternative pneumococcal conjugate vaccine available in New Zealand for this age group. When the vaccine is administered to individuals between 5-49 years of age, use will be outside of current licensure. There are not expected to be any safety concerns for use in this age group.
