Women between 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy with a Medicare card will be able to access the Abrysvo® respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine at no cost on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) before the start of RSV season next year.

The vaccine protects infants from the virus up to six months after birth when their risk of RSV-associated hospitalisation is highest.

RSV is a leading cause of serious illness

Between 2016 and 2019 around 6.2% of infants under 6 months were hospitalised with RSV — the rate was even higher in those aged under 2 months (with 7.2% of babies 0-2 months hospitalised with an RSV diagnosis).

“Pretty well all children will have had an RSV infection by the age of two,” says public health physician Associate Professor John Litt from Finders University’s College of Medicine and Public Health.

Vaccine is safe and effective

“Vaccinating a woman in pregnancy provides good protection to the baby,” Associate Professor Litt says.

“The effectiveness and safety of a RSV vaccine has been established and carefully scrutinised,” he adds.

Overcoming vaccine hesitancy

Infectious diseases physician and clinical microbiologist Professor Paul Griffin, Director of Infectious Diseases at the Mater Hospital in Queensland says it can help to remind women who are hesitant that we don’t use a vaccine like this unless it is proven to be safe and effective during pregnancy.

“This vaccine in particular has been tested quite extensively in exactly this population,” he says, noting it is supported by results from large scale clinical trials and has been approved for use in other countries.

“So we’re very confident that it’s safe and effective in this context. We know the risk of the infection that it’s designed to address is very significant. And seeing young babies with RSV struggling to breathe is just awful. And that’s what this program is all about preventing.”

“Vaccination in pregnancy is almost like a three for one, because obviously you get excellent protection for the baby, transmitted when they’re born, but also through breastfeeding, and you’re protecting the mum in the process as well,” Professor Griffin says.

Passive immunisation through monoclonal antibodies

Beyfortus (nirsevimab) is a new long-acting RSV-specific monoclonal antibody that is recommended for certain infants and children. This includes infants under 8 months whose mothers were not vaccinated at least two weeks before they were born, and those at increased risk of severe RSV disease, regardless of whether their mum was vaccinated.

Currently nirsevimab is available in WA, Qld, NT, Tas, NSW and the ACT, with eligibility varying between jurisdictions, but it will be accessible Australia-wide in 2025.

For the specifics on who should – and should not – receive nirsevimab (including flowcharts and a list of conditions associated with increased risk of complications) refer to the Immunisation Handbook here.

More information

Department of Health and Aged Care | Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance | Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Immunisation Coalition | RSV Guide