Pneumococcal outbreak worst in 20 years
Rollout of new generation vaccines must begin now
Rates of pneumococcal disease – a life-threatening bacterial infection that can attack the lungs, brain and bloodstream – have hit a 20-year high, according to national notifiable disease data.1
The Immunisation Foundation of Australia today revealed that more than 4,500 cases of severe pneumococcal, known as invasive pneumococcal disease, have been recorded in the last 24 months (2,269 in 2023 and 2,250 in 2024 year to date) – the highest rate of diagnoses since 2002.1,2
Invasive pneumococcal disease occurs when the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium invade sterile parts of the body and infect the lungs (causing pneumonia or empyema), brain (causing meningitis) or bloodstream (causing septicaemia).
With a sustained surge in invasive pneumococcal disease (more than six cases per day on average since the start of 2023), the Immunisation Foundation warns that next year may see further increase in cases with "no sign that the outbreak will ease in 2025".
Invasive pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of death and serious illness among children.2 The infection can prove deadly within a matter of hours or days, with pneumococcal meningitis claiming the lives of one-in-twelve children with the disease.2
While only cases of invasive pneumococcal disease are recorded in Australia, the broader impact of pneumococcal is significant, with non-invasive infections leading to complications such as permanent hearing loss in children.3,4
"Invasive pneumococcal disease is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the impact of pneumococcal infections in Australia," said Paediatrician and Infectious Disease Researcher Professor Peter Richmond.
"For every confirmed case of invasive pneumococcal disease, there are hundreds of non-invasive infections such as bronchitis, sinusitis and middle ear infections that we don't record and which leave children and the elderly suffering," he said.
Experts believe three factors may be driving the increase in invasive pneumococcal disease:
- Evolving pneumococcal strains – With more than 100 strains of streptococcus pneumoniae, the bacterium adapts over time, requiring the development of new vaccines to protect against the most prevalent and severe pneumococcal strains.5
- Declining vaccination rates – Childhood vaccination rates fell slightly from 93.3% in 2022 to 92.8% in 2023 in 12-month-old infants, leaving more children unprotected against invasive pneumococcal disease.6 Alarming gaps persist among older Australians, with only 20% of people aged between 71-79 years vaccinated against pneumococcal disease.7
- Antibiotic resistance – In more than 40% of cases, the pneumococcal bacteria that causes invasive disease are resistant to at least one class of antibiotics.8
"The challenge is three-fold," added Professor Richmond. "We're seeing a drop in vaccine coverage alongside emerging strains of the bacterium, and antibiotic resistance."
"It's important to recognise that effective pneumococcal vaccination helps prevent antibiotic resistant infections9," he said.
The Immunisation Foundation of Australia is urging the Federal Government to prioritise the rollout of newer, broader-coverage pneumococcal vaccines that have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation and Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
"Newer pneumococcal immunisations protect against more strains than the vaccines currently available, but a funding decision is mired in bureaucratic red tape," said Catherine Hughes AM, Founder and Director of Immunisation Foundation of Australia.
"New generation vaccines need to be rolled out through the National Immunisation Program without further delay. We simply can't risk not having the best available pneumococcal protection."
"Invasive pneumococcal disease can cause permanent disability and even death. We have the tools to make a difference, and now is the time to ensure Australians at greatest risk of infection are protected," Ms Hughes said.
The Foundation's new Prioritise Pneumococcal Protection campaign aims to heighten awareness of pneumococcal disease and advocate for nationwide access to the best available pneumococcal protection.
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