The Pneumococcal Protection Project is a NHMRC funded study that aims to determine whether immunisation with 23vPPV (Pneumovax) generates an adequate immune response in Indigenous adults and whether prior pneumococcal vaccination is a factor that could reduce the immune response.

Indigenous Australians experience a very high burden of pneumococcal disease, with the 15-49 year age group 10 times more likely to have invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) than their non-Indigenous counterparts.  In view of this, the 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (23vPPV) has been recommended and provided free in the NT since 1995 for Indigenous adults.  Despite this, a reduction in IPD has not been noted.

There may be many possibilities for this.  Our study is looking at how good a persons protection is after having the Pneumovax and whether the current timing of the vaccine is giving the best possible protection.   We aim to recruit 300 people (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) aged 15-64 years and measure their immune response before and after the vaccine. 

We hope this study will contribute substantially to the immunogenicity evidence base for pneumococcal vaccine policy for Indigenous Australians and other high risk population groups receiving multiple dose of 23vPP