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Say: New-Mo-Coc-Uhl. Experts calling for greater awareness of Pneumococcal Disease this winter season

Pfizer Australia

  • Pneumococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection that can cause symptoms including earache, ear discharge, sinus congestion, fever, headache, coughing, breathing difficulty and confusion. In severe cases, it can result in pneumonia or meningitis.1,2
  • Children under five years of age are at high risk of pneumococcal disease, with 14 per cent of cases in 2025 reported in children aged 0-4 years old.3, 4
  • Cases of pneumococcal disease climbed to their highest level in 20 years in 2025, with 2,643 infections reported nationwide over the year - an 11% rise compared with the previous year.4
 
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 21 September 2026 - Australian experts are urging people to say pneumococcal (pronounced New-Mo-Coc-Uhl*) as part of a campaign to boost awareness of pneumococcal disease, after cases reached a 20‑year high in 2025 with 2,643 infections recorded nationwide.4 
 
Pneumococcal disease is among the leading causes of serious illness and death in children aged under two years.5 Young children face a higher risk as their immune systems are still maturing and have fewer defences to fight the bacteria causing pneumococcal disease.6
 
As a respiratory illness, pneumococcal symptoms often overlap with other winter illnesses, including other serious conditions such as meningococcal disease and viral pneumonia.1 Pneumococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection that can progress to pneumococcal meningitis, a life-threatening infection of the brain and spinal cord. In children, pneumococcal meningitis can cause long-term complications, including hearing loss, cognitive impairment and developmental delays.7  
 
Associate Professor Daryl Cheng and Consultant Paediatrician, says it’s important that parents and carers of young children are aware of the common symptoms associated with pneumococcal disease.
 
“Pneumococcal disease can present with symptoms including congestion, fever, shortness of breath, headache or drowsiness, which can make it hard to distinguish from other winter illnesses. 
 
Recognising the signs early can help families seek care quickly if something doesn’t feel right,”1 said A/Prof Daryl Cheng. 
 
One of the challenges with pneumococcal disease is that its name can be difficult to pronounce and remember, which can make awareness and early recognition harder.
 
Experts say that becoming familiar with the term is the first step in supporting clearer conversations with healthcare professionals and understanding when symptoms may be more than just a common cold.
 
“Greater awareness of pneumococcal disease and its early signs and symptoms is important for parents and carers. It is a serious disease that can have lasting effects. I often see parents whose children have survived pneumococcal disease but still struggle with the long-term effects on their health well into adulthood. It’s very important for parents of infants to watch out for unusual changes in health and to understand what could be a sign that something isn’t right,” says Bruce Langoulant AM, Chair of Meningitis Centre Australia. 
 
“Having more informed conversations with healthcare professionals can build parents’ awareness of the signs to watch out for and the protections available. It’s a disease where every second counts.”
 
While pneumococcal disease can occur at any time, infections appear more common during winter and spring.5 
 
In some cases, pneumococcal infection can develop into more severe and potentially life-threatening conditions, including meningitis, pneumonia (lung infection) and bloodstream infections.1 
 
“Pneumococcal disease disproportionately affects infants and young children, especially those under two, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and older Australians. Despite this, awareness among parents is still low compared to other winter illnesses like influenza,” 8 says Catherine Hughes, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Immunisation Foundation of Australia (IFA).
 
“It’s a serious disease that can have lasting impacts on a child’s health and development. Recognising the signs early can make a real difference to long-term outcomes.” 
 
If you’re concerned about your child’s risk of pneumococcal disease and would like to learn more, speak to a healthcare professional.
 
ENDS
 
References:
  1. Australian Centre for Disease Control. Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD). Available from: https://www.cdc.gov.au/diseases/invasive-pneumococcal-disease-ipd. Last accessed May 2026.
  2. NSW Health. Pneumococcal disease fact sheet. Available from: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/pneumococcal-disease.aspx. Last accessed June 2026. 
  3. Wang G, et al. Global, regional, and national burden of pneumococcal disease among children and adolescents aged <20 years from 1990 to 2021: a predictive analysis. Frontiers in Public Health. 2025;13:1675854. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1675854
  4. Australian Centre for Disease Control, 2026. National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System: National communicable disease surveillance dashboard (pneumococcal disease). Available from: https://nindss.health.gov.au/pbi-dashboard/ . Last accessed May 2026.
  5. Better Health Victoria. Pneumococcal Disease. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/pneumococcal-disease. Last accessed May 2026.
  6. Victorian Department of Health. Invasive pneumococcal disease. Available from: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/invasive-pneumococcal-disease. Last accessed May 2026.
  7. Health Direct. Pneumococcal disease. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/pneumococcal-disease. Last accessed June 2026. 
  8. AIHW. Pneumococcal Disease in Australia. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/9b5b848f-53c2-483c-881d-7c41b76f3b46/aihw-phe-236_pneumococcal_2025.pdf. Last accessed May 2026.
  9. Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary. Pneumococcal (adjective). Available from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/pneumococcal?pronunciation=&lang=en_us&dir=p&file=pneumo03. Last accessed June 2026.
 

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